An elevator is a rare item in an old Parisian apartment. In the 18th century elevators had not been invented and later on in it was not always possible to install a shaft. Some buildings have mounted superstructures to accommodate tiny elevators. Sometimes you need to dial a code to make the elevator work in order to restrict door-to-door salesmen and beggars. Most of the buildings have steep circular stairs that look like huge snails (escalier en colimaçon) instead of modern elevators.

Tiny elevator in one of the hotels in Paris