La Marine
Fine dining restaurant · Noirmoutier-en-l'Île ·
Creative seafood, coastal plants, local ingredients, Michelin-starred
Creative seafood, coastal plants, local ingredients, Michelin-starred
"On France’s Atlantic coast in L’Herbaudière, this restaurant matures fish on site in dedicated cold rooms and portions it day by day so the flavor becomes more nuanced, an approach that both deepens taste and helps reduce waste." - Lanie Goodman
"Alexandre Couillon rises at dawn to go to Noirmoutier fish auction, which sells the best Atlantic fish, before stopping by his own vegetable garden, just a few minutes from the restaurant. The tasting menu, which religiously keeps pace with the seasons and availability, exalts and celebrates fine ingredients, allowing them to shout their name with a simplicity that only the world’s top chefs can attain. Knowing what and where to strip back and pare down to release the flavours and tantalise the eater’s imagination is a fine art. The quality of the fish, seafood and vegetables is exceptional. Alexandre’s other talents include cooking over a fire, harvesting coastal plants, fruit coulis and vegetable pickles, broth and gutsy jus, without forgetting cooking fish to absolute perfection! Memories shine bright of both the mackerel cooked over hot embers and accompanied by confit beetroot or an incredible lettuce grilled over a flame, blueberries in elderflower vinegar and the dessert of buckwheat, caramel mousse, confit citrus fruits and sea lettuce (seaweed) sorbet. The interior has been revamped in natural materials and soft colours, while the grocery shop, Le Petit Couillon, sells produce from the artisans and farmer partners." - Michelin Inspector
"“Tucked away on the tip of the island of Noirmoutier, in the cove of L’Herbaudière, La Marine asserts itself as one of the very best restaurants in France. Chef Alexandre Couillon’s cookery brings a unique culinary approach to the French gastronomic landscape through a unique exploration of the ocean and edible coastal plants. Streamlined and fully rooted in this terroir, the chef’s creations vary throughout the seasons, with the plants gathered along the shore and fresh seafood bought from the Noirmoutier fish market. The tastes are striking and bold, the quality of the produce is exceptional, and the cooking methods – where braising predominates – are exacting. The restaurant had already been recognised in 2020 with a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainable gastronomy.”" - MICHELIN Guide
"A restaurant on the northwest tip of Noirmoutier that was promoted to three Michelin stars — the only new entrant to the guide’s highest rank this year — run by chefs Alexandre and Céline Couillon, who took over the family restaurant in 1999 and have been credited with turning it into a true gastronomic destination valued by Michelin’s leadership." - Bettina Makalintal
"The new Three Star, La Marine, asserts itself as one of the very best restaurants in France with a unique culinary approach to the French gastronomic landscape. Chef Alexandre Couillon’s cookery provides an authentic exploration of the ocean and edible coastal plants. 'La Marine ‘is worth the detour’ because it sweeps us away to the island of Noirmoutier and leaves us forever changed,' says Poullennec. 'The restaurant team had already been highlighted with the MICHELIN Green Star in recognition of its remarkable eco-responsible commitment, and the restaurant team plays out a resplendent symphony.' @marinedalex / La Marine" - MICHELIN Guide
