From the Middle Ages up to now, French kings, emperors and presidents have spent a lot of money and energy for Paris. They built magnificent public buildings and organized new urban perspectives. As an example, the Louvre royal palace was continuously worked on from the time of king Philippe Auguste in 1190 to 1989 with the inauguration of the spectacular pyramid designed by american architect Ieoh Ming Pei. The Catholic church contributed with many beautiful churches to the beauty of the city.