Éric Jacquier, The guardian of 400 years of fishing on Lake Geneva

Born in Lugrin, on the shores of Lake Geneva, Éric Jacquier is much more than a fisherman: he is the custodian of a priceless family heritage, handed down from generation to generation for almost four centuries. With an encyclopaedic knowledge of fishing and an unshakeable love of nature, he continues a tradition that brings Lake Geneva to life on the plates of the greatest gourmets.

©Chez Mathilde Eric Vacquier 6835|dgcphotography@gmail.com

A passion rooted in history

In the Jacquier family, fishing on Lake Geneva is a vocation that has spanned the ages. ” I’m on the lake six days a week, from Monday to Saturday,” says Éric, proud to carry on this heritage. His know-how, enriched by years of practice and trips to the French coast for inspiration, has made him a key figure in local fishing.
The quality of his fish is an absolute priority. His catch, carefully processed in his fishery at Maxilly-sur-Léman, is sold not only to private individuals but also to some of the world’s top chefs, including Pierre Gagnaire, Emmanuel Renaut and Olivier Nasti.

Excellence on the plate

The fish caught by Éric Jacquier can be found in some of the region’s finest restaurants. His partners include :

Essenze, a gourmet Italian restaurant in Évian-les-Bains
Le Royal, in Neuvecelle
Hôtel Royal, Évian-les-Bains
La Fabrik, Évian-les-Bains
Le Bois Joli, in Saint-Paul-en-Chablais
Hôtel des Princes, Amphion

These establishments, renowned for their creativity and exacting standards, sublimate Éric’s fish, paying tribute to his work and to the richness of Lake Geneva.

A day in the life of a passionate fisherman

Éric Jacquier’s day begins well before dawn. Between 3 and 4 in the morning, he sets out to retrieve his nets, bringing in the day’s first catch at around 7.30am. Shortly afterwards, he returns to the lake for another fishing session, harvesting perch and char before returning to work on his catch and stock his shop.

From 9am, the day’s fresh fish goes on sale at Maxilly-sur-Léman, 1345 route nationale. Some of the fish is sold to private customers, but a large quantity is pre-ordered by restaurant owners. A carrier then delivers these products to prestigious establishments throughout Haute-Savoie, Lyon and even Alsace.

In the afternoon, after a quick lunch and sometimes a well-earned siesta, Éric sets off again for another fishing session. At around 3pm, he’ll be fishing for perch, then at the end of the day, he’ll head out to sea to set the nets for féra before returning home at around 8pm.

©Chez Mathilde Eric Vacquier 31a7459|dgcphotography@gmail.com

An ambassador for nature and Lake Geneva

In addition to his work as a fisherman, Éric Jacquier is an ardent defender of Lake Geneva and its ecosystem. He embodies the symbiosis between man and his environment, a harmony that he strives to preserve. With his life punctuated by the lake, he perpetuates an age-old tradition while meeting the modern demands of gourmets and restaurateurs.

Éric Jacquier is more than a fisherman: he is an emblematic figure of Lake Geneva, a guardian of its heritage and a craftsman of taste, who every day, even before the sun rises, ensures that the waters of Lake Geneva continue to nourish and inspire.

Éric Jacquier, The guardian of 400 years of fishing on Lake Geneva

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