The original doorkeepers appeared in Paris in 19th century when each building had a separate small lodge (loge) on the ground floor for the doorkeeper or concierge. Today the automatic coded doors have replaced some of these jobs but there are still a surprisingly high number of them, especially in the old areas of the city.

Nowadays this profession has become more a woman’s than man’s job. Concierges who get free lodging for their hard work are often mothers, Portuguese women or former prostitutes. Except for supplying security, the concierge is also a postman. You can leave her a letter, a small task or a key for tradesmen to be allowed access when the owner of the apartment is not there.