L'ExtrA

The story

L'ExtrA Reims – Modern Cuisine, Inclusive Michelin-Recommended Restaurant

L'ExtrA: Gastronomy with Purpose in Reims

In the heart of Reims, L'ExtrA is more than a restaurant serving modern cuisine—it is a project built on humanity and sustainability. Cofounded by Gonzague Peugnet and Matthieu Saint-Guilhem, the restaurant operates as a Société Coopérative d’Intérêt Collectif (SCIC), a cooperative that places community and shared purpose at its core.

What sets L'ExtrA apart is its inclusive model: several members of the kitchen and dining room staff have mental disabilities. The result is a genuinely warm atmosphere, where smiling faces and good humour are as much a part of the experience as the food.

The kitchen, led by chef Philippe Joly, works with fresh, local ingredients, sourcing through short supply chains and managing waste responsibly. The restaurant’s modern cuisine is built on this foundation of local, seasonal produce, prepared with care and creativity.

L'ExtrA’s approach has earned recognition from the Michelin Guide, which has recommended the restaurant. In 2024, the team also received a TheFork Award, a national prize voted by the public that celebrates talent and passion in dining. The award was collected by Peugnet and Joly, alongside their mentor, three-Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement.

The project is deeply rooted in its city. As proud ambassadors of Reims Legend’R, Peugnet and Saint-Guilhem honour the history and traditions of Reims through their refined, innovative cooking, blending tradition with a forward-looking, inclusive vision.

L'ExtrA’s impact extends across economic, social, and environmental lines: creating value and purchasing power through real work, offering certified training in hospitality, opening capital to people with disabilities, and changing perceptions of disability through the daily life of the restaurant. Every meal here supports a broader mission to make fine dining accessible to all—both at the table and behind it.