 
Located midway between Bollène and Orange
, in the north of the département, Mornas
spreads out at the foot of an abrupt rocky outcrop 137 meters high. At each
end of the village are two magnificent fortified and crenelated gateways
which proudly guard the entrance to the village through the ramparts. Longer
than it is wide the village seems to be squashed at the foot of the rocky
ridge, from the top of which it's fortress still guards over the River Rhône.
This
small village has preserved some of its historic past. On the steep path
which  climbs up to the fortress you pass by the XIIe century chapel which
is the historic parish church. The unique church porch is said to have
been inspired by the Roman theater at Orange.
There
are a number of active local groups which work to preserve the village
and the "les Amis de Mornas" welcome visitors to the fortress,
offering guided tours and historical reconstructions. With their words
and costumes of the period, find yourself transported back to the the
times of the Court of the Comte de Toulouse, the noble who built the castle
in the XII° century. You can also hear how Rimbaud de Vacqueyras
in times gone by sang in the provencal language. The cultural programme
in true medieval tradition accompanies the restoration of the site which
the groups have undertaken since 1977. 
 Mornas could have been an extremely calm,
tranquil village but it has managed to collect, the motorway, the busy
N7 road and railway lines...!!!...However thanks to the enormous efforts
made to conserve its cultural and historic heritage Mornas has managed
to surmount these problems and welcomes an increasing number of visitors
each year.
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