Rs 67,000 rent, 134 stairs and no toilet: Man reveals life inside the 'smallest apartment in Paris' in viral video

Paris is the city of dreams. From fashion runways to corporate meeting rooms, one can find a place for themselves in the French capital that has for decades attracted people from across the world towards its cultural vibe and luxurious life.

For a person on the internet, the Parisian life looks somewhat ethereal. A morning walk to the office, a lunch with friends, an evening by the Seine and a dreamy sleep at night. However, in reality, living in Paris might sound like paying €600, climbing up 134 stairs daily and climbing over your bed to reach the balcony.

In a video going viral on the internet, a man named Ulysse, showed viewers a glimpse of his compact living space. The clip was shared on Instagram by Sebastian Hedberg where he is speaking to a tenant who calls his place the "smallest apartment in Paris," for which he pays a rent of 600 Euros (Rs 67,000).

When asked about the location and if it could be visited, Ulysse said it's right around the corner and suggested going there. He also shared that he found the place on a website called Leboncoin.

As they arrive at the building, Sebastian commented that it looks very Parisian. To this the tenant responded that they should wait to see the view, adding that he lived on the seventh floor. When asked if there is an elevator, he said there are 134 steps, leading to Sebastian calling it "sport of the day."

Inside a Parisian apartment

Inside the apartment, Sebastian was surprised by the architecture and space, calling it "crazy." Upon entering through the door, there was a closet on the left side and a shower on the right. Moving forward, there was a dressing on the left and a small kitchen on the right. Right in the front was a bed laid horizontally on the ground and a balcony, that could only be reached after climbing over the bed.

The man guided Sebastian to remove his shoes and climb over to the balcony which was the main feature of the apartment. Looking at the view of the city, Sebastian asked Ulysse if it was his favourite part of the apartment. "It is my favourite, I never get tired of it. We got Paris in our hands, baby," he said. When asked about the toilet, the man took Sebastian out of the apartment and to a corner on the floor where a toilet was placed.

Micro-apartments: The homes of the urban youth

Over the past couple of years, videos featuring extremely small apartments in cities like Paris, Tokyo, New York and Hong Kong have repeatedly gone viral online. Part of the interest comes from seeing people adapt to such small spaces in their everyday lives and still pay shocking amounts.

For many, it is interesting to see how people organise and get creative in such apartments while balancing necessity and aesthetics.

Social media reactions

The video quickly gained massive attention online, crossing nearly 7M views. Social media users reacted with a mix of shock, appreciation and humour to Ulysse's choice of abode.

"Indian rupees 67,218" wrote a shocked viewer with a crying emoji.

"I lived in a place like this in Paris. It's insane we have normalised living under these conditions for +600! Rent should be strictly regulated. Housing is a right not a business," said one.

"Capitalism is going back to its roots I'm afraid, working your ass to live like that..." one user shared.

"For everyone saying €600 is too expensive. I think you’re missing the point. He has his own small flat in the centre of one of the world’s greatest cities. He’s young and living life to the full with a bright future ahead of him. Enjoy every moment. I think this is very special and a lifetime of memories," added one.

"You will be motivated to see this guy, people remain happy even with small things," wrote one user.

"Is this not the apartment from Ratatouille," quipped one.