The fertile central region of France along the middle stretch of the Loire River, which flows from east to west, have an abundance of vineyards and fruit orchards. It was dotted with medieval castles as fortresses for itinerant French kings. As gun powder rendered castle obsolete, most of the fortresses were rebuilt as Châteaux or royal palaces. During the late French Renaissance, political power shifted back to Paris. These Châteaux became homes of the rich nobilities.