Almost 100% of Paris building doors are code-protected. These devices have gradually replaced the concierges or building supervisors which were common before the 1970s and labor costs were much lower. So when visiting someone in Paris, you always ask for their door code.I noticed when Rolinka was entering my address and phone number into her iPod, she also entered my door code. This allowed her into the building hallway where she pressed the button next to the appropriate name on another display. A phone-like device rang in the apartment (mine is so loud, I jump every time) so I could confirm it was her and then I buzzed her into our courtyard. (This is not unique to Paris, of course. I also have this system at my condo in Houston.)
How does the post man, the Fed-Ex delivery lady—even the pompiers (fire fighters), etc. get into the building in order to buzz your unit? There is a universal key that opens all doors in Paris.
