The classic bourgeois buildings built between 1830 – 1914, a large number of which are in Paris, usually included one or two floors traditionally intended for the servants and accessed by a separate staircase called “the back stairs”. Few studies have been made of this unique stock of accommodation.
During the 20th century, the number of servants employed by well-off families declined sharply, changing the use of these rooms which were then rented out to students or low wage earners. At the same time, here and there, a number of owners knocked the rooms through to create good-sized apartments.
In 2002, the status of these service rooms changed following the Decent Housing Decree-Décret sur le lodgement decent-. A large proportion of owners no longer had the right to rent out their rooms as a principal residence unless certain “decent” features were installed, in particular running drinking water, a drainage system and kitchen area, and above all a living space of at least 9m2.
This note updates the geographical location, characteristics and occupancy of these rooms in Paris according to the latest available data.