Fuel cell , comprising: - a membrane/electrode assembly including a proton exchange membrane , and a cathode in contact with a first face of the membrane, and an anode in contact with a second face of the membrane ; - two bipolar plates between which is positioned the membrane/electrode assembly , said bipolar plates being traversed by at least one first flow collector in communication with said cathode and by a second flow collector ; characterized in that : - the membrane/electrode assembly comprises a first active region covered by said cathode , a second active region covered by said anode , a first connecting region not covered by said cathode and positioned between said first flow collector and the first active region, and a second connecting region not covered by said anode and positioned between said second flow collector and the second active region; - the membrane/electrode assembly additionally comprises a first hydrophilic component positioned in said first connecting region , the first hydrophilic component , which is impermeable to gases, being inserted to form a hydric junction between said first and second connecting regions; - the fuel cell comprises a reinforcement attached to the membrane and to the first hydrophilic component , said reinforcement comprising a first orifice through which said first hydrophilic component is accessible and comprising a second orifice through which said cathode is accessible, the reinforcement being attached to the periphery of the membrane and separating the proton exchange membrane from the first hydrophilic component , the reinforcement , the membrane and the first hydrophilic component being separate elements. - a membrane/electrode assembly including a proton exchange membrane , and a cathode in contact with a first face of the membrane, and an anode in contact with a second face of the membrane ; - two bipolar plates between which is positioned the membrane/electrode assembly , said bipolar plates being traversed by at least one first flow collector in communication with said cathode and by a second flow collector ; - the membrane/electrode assembly comprises a first active region covered by said cathode , a second active region covered by said anode , a first connecting region not covered by said cathode and positioned between said first flow collector and the first active region, and a second connecting region not covered by said anode and positioned between said second flow collector and the second active region; - the membrane/electrode assembly additionally comprises a first hydrophilic component positioned in said first connecting region , the first hydrophilic component , which is impermeable to gases, being inserted to form a hydric junction between said first and second connecting regions; - the fuel cell comprises a reinforcement attached to the membrane and to the first hydrophilic component , said reinforcement comprising a first orifice through which said first hydrophilic component is accessible and comprising a second orifice through which said cathode is accessible, the reinforcement being attached to the periphery of the membrane and separating the proton exchange membrane from the first hydrophilic component , the reinforcement , the membrane and the first hydrophilic component being separate elements. <EOS>