![](https://retirementontour.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-07-20-Day-8-Voie-Vezelay-Augy-Sur-Aubois-to-Ainay-le-Chateau_54.jpg)
Very good day today. I am writing this having a beer at the local tabac/bar. Have just eaten the most amazing pastries from the artisan boulanger here.
Mostly canal walking then road walking to the Medieval town of Ainay-le-Château. Which is on a different route cos I messed up. But sometimes the best things come from mistakes!
The city was enclosed by walls and a castle stood around the church of Saint-Stephen. My favourite Saint.
The church and ramparts still remain. In modern times the town is well known for a hospital which runs foster homes in the area for the mentally ill.
![Ainay-le-Château church of Saint-Stephen](https://retirementontour.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-07-20-Day-8-Voie-Vezelay-Augy-Sur-Aubois-to-Ainay-le-Chateau_33.jpg)
![Ainay-le-Château church of Saint-Stephen](https://retirementontour.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-07-20-Day-8-Voie-Vezelay-Augy-Sur-Aubois-to-Ainay-le-Chateau_39.jpg)
![Ainay-le-Château](https://retirementontour.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-07-20-Day-8-Voie-Vezelay-Augy-Sur-Aubois-to-Ainay-le-Chateau_41.jpg)
![Ainay-le-Château fort](https://retirementontour.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-07-20-Day-8-Voie-Vezelay-Augy-Sur-Aubois-to-Ainay-le-Chateau_51.jpg)
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![Ainay-le-Château Pilgrim Refuge](https://retirementontour.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-07-20-Day-8-Voie-Vezelay-Augy-Sur-Aubois-to-Ainay-le-Chateau_63_1.jpg)
I knew the pilgrim refuge here was going to be full so aimed to get here early by 2pm. It was closed until 4:00 p.m!! The nice Irish volunteer hospitalario turned up just after 2pm and let me in early. Dont you just love the Irish. So I picked the best bed. Lower bunk and one with the PowerPoint!
Had a shower and then the hospitalario offered to do my washing for me while I explored the village. Amazing. Love the Irish even more now!
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![Voie Vezelay - Augy-Sur-Aubois to Ainay-le-Château](https://retirementontour.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-07-20-Day-8-Voie-Vezelay-Augy-Sur-Aubois-to-Ainay-le-Chateau_17.jpg)
So nice to talk to a native English speaker. First I have met since leaving Vezelay.
Darn that first beer has gone already, I had better try another. They have been serving beer here since 1679.
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One of the great things about walking so far each day is eating anything and as much as you want with a clear conscience you will work it off tomorrow!
Back at the pilgrim refuge with machine washed clothes what a luxury!