Alexandre Couillon

Alexandre Couillon was born in Senegal in 1975 and moved at the age of six to the island of Noirmoutier, where his parents acquired a small inn in L’Herbaudière. From an early age, he developed a passion for seafood cuisine, and in 1999 he decided to take over the family restaurant, La Marine, learning hands-on while complementing his experience with brief stages alongside chefs such as Michel Guérard and Thierry Marx.

His approach is rooted in local produce: fish prepared using the Japanese ikajime method and vegetables from his own garden. Thanks to his dedication and creativity, La Marine has been awarded two Michelin stars, named “Chef of the Year 2017” by Gault & Millau, and featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table.

Alexandre champions a cuisine that is honest, close to nature, and sustainable, where the sea and the natural environment set the pace of each dish—from his iconic black oyster “Erika” to his refined seafood and vegetable creations. His work reflects a vision of 21st-century French gastronomy built on respect for terroir and excellence in ingredients.