From Ireland to Poland, from Italy to Scotland, monasteries protected and developed large and important parts of Europe's cultural and spiritual heritage. In medieval times monasteries were - even by today's standards - large and important enterprises. Work and worship continues to this day in many places; there are about 4 dozen monasteries and convents all over Europe which produce wines and spirits, delicacies, traditional bodycare products, handcrafted items and books. We have decided to present a few of these items: top of the range body care products made by monks and nuns from Wales, France and Italy.

In the course of history, France has had many beautiful geographical settings to offer for the founding of monasteries, but only a few with the grand views of Ganagobie. The late Romanesque monastery (famous for the church’s mosaics) lies on a high plateau between Sisteron and Manosque, overlooking the valley of the river Durance. The Durance is one of the rivers of France whose courses are still wild and meandering, revealing a glistening white bed of gravel when the water is low. Even if the way to the monastery is not unknown to tourists, the monastery grounds have enough space for privacy and quiet. The monastery was vacant for quite a long time until about 25 years ago the Benedictines of Hautecombe decided to exchange their no less beautiful home at the lakeside of Lake Geneva for the lofty heights in the south of France. They brought with them their familiarity with personal care products. In the "Alps of Upper Provence", they expanded their previously acquired knowledge.