An optical coupler is used to optically couple a multicore fiber with multiple optical cores to multiple individual fibers and contains a support in which the multicore fiber is embedded, the cores exiting at a polished end surface. The cores are assembled into groups along lines, and each group is oriented along a line. Waveguides of multiple planar support elements, the waveguides being introduced into the surface of the support elements, are connected to the end surface, each group of cores being coupled into a support element. In this manner, the multicore fiber can be coupled to individual fibers using planar waveguide technology.