We are Matt & Ali Cooper; A British couple with 2 kids aged 14 & 12 (in 2026)
In 2013 we decided to embark on a big renovation project with Ali's parents, Nigel & Gina. La Taillede was the 3rd property we visited in this area (Pyrenees Orientales, SW France) and we looked no further. As soon as we saw the place we knew it was the one!
A little about us;
Matt is from all over but most of his upbringing was in Oxfordshire, UK, and Ali grew up on a farm in Yorkshire, UK.
Matt studied Marine Biology at University and learned to dive, joining the Royal Marines after graduation. Sadly this didn't work out because of his rubbish night vision! He was medically discharged and went into the IT industry where he spent 15 years. He started off as an hardware and software engineer, getting his Microsoft MCSE qualification, then started and ran a charity fundraising Dotcom with Ben Brabyn, a friend from the Marines.
He kept diving though, working with Florian Graner, a Biologist and underwater cameraman, working as a diver on documentaries in Norway and around the world (but nearly always cold water!).
Being a physical guy and very practical in many fields, he always felt like a frustrated farmer and sitting at his desk day after day started to take its toll on his health and happiness. Now he can work outside doing any number of projects, and he is a different man! Matt is the onsite electrician, plumber, computer technicien, builder and general handy-man!
He has taken up hunting as we don’t buy commercial meat for ourselves for animal welfare and ecological reasons. We are over-run here by wild boar so their numbers do need controlling. Matt is in charge of produce at La Taillede which he really enjoys, and is doing a course in Permaculture to learn more about old techniques of how best to grow organic produce.
Ali & Matt
Ali did languages at university; French & Spanish, and then spent about 10 years in hospitality within the yachting industry; mostly cooking on private or charter sailing yachts in stunning locations all over the world. She based herself near Nice, France before meeting Matt who introduced her to SW France, where they got married and had 2 kids. Having grown up on a farm, Ali wanted a similar up bringing for their kids and feels very lucky to give them such a lovely childhood, as well as feeling very at home in nature herself.
At La Taillede, Ali takes care of everyone; guests, kids, parents and animals. She also does all the marketing, bookings, responding to enquires as well as front of house and changeovers. She loves to take the donkeys out for walks with guests or for adventures with the family. She happily cooks for large groups and enjoys meeting all the interesting people who come to La Taillede.
Gina & Nigel
Ali’s parents, Nigel and Gina.
Nigel is retired now, but worked for us (for free!) for 8 years during the construction of the gites. He loves working in wood, and using the wood from our own forest, he made all kinds of furniture, tudor-style walls, cupboards, doors etc.
Gina is chief soup maker on the property and during the build, kept everyone going with her nourishing crew lunches with the She is also takes care of the seedlings before Matt plants them out in the garden.
Last but not least is Ali’s unofficial animal sanctuary! We have 2 dogs, Apollo & Tai, 4 cats, 5 donkeys, a horse, a shetland pony, 2 pet pigs a goat, 7 sheep and about 20 chickens.
