Last updated: March 2025
This is the privacy policy for runlanguages.com, a site run by Claire Durand. I write about French houses, regional architecture, and what it’s like to settle into a home here — from village stone cottages to apartment hunting in Lyon. Protecting your privacy matters to me. This page explains what information I collect, how I use it, and the choices you have.
What information I collect
I keep things simple. I don’t ask you to create an account, and I don’t sell anything directly through the site. That said, a few types of information may be collected as you browse or interact with the site:
- Comments. If you leave a comment on a post, I collect the data you enter in the comment form — typically your name (or nickname), email address, and your comment. Your IP address and browser user agent are also collected to help with spam detection.
- Email subscriptions. If you choose to sign up for my newsletter, I collect your email address. I use a third-party email service to manage the list, and you can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email.
- Contact messages. If you reach out via a contact form or directly by email, I’ll have whatever information you choose to share — your name, email address, and the content of your message. I use this only to reply to you.
- Analytics. Like most websites, I use a basic analytics tool (such as Google Analytics) to understand how people find and use the site. This collects anonymized data — pages visited, time on site, rough location, browser type — but nothing that identifies you personally.
- Cookies. Small files stored on your device. More on that below.
How I use your information
I use the information I collect in a few limited ways:
- To publish and manage comments you leave on articles.
- To send you the newsletter if you’ve signed up for it.
- To reply to your messages and questions.
- To understand what content is most useful, so I can write more of it.
- To keep the site secure and reduce spam.
I don’t use your data to make automated decisions about you, and I don’t build profiles of individual readers.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. Here’s how they work on runlanguages.com:
- Strictly necessary cookies. These are used for things like remembering your comment details so you don’t have to retype them every time. They don’t track you across other sites.
- Analytics cookies. These help me see which articles people read, how they find the site, and whether they come back. I use this information to improve the site, not to identify you.
- Third-party cookies. Some pages may include embedded content — for example, a YouTube video or a map from Google Maps. These services may set their own cookies. I have no control over those, and they are governed by the privacy policies of the respective services.
You can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when they are being used. Keep in mind that some parts of the site may not work as smoothly if you block all cookies.
Embedded content from other websites
Articles on this site may include embedded content — videos, images, maps, and so on. Embedded content from other websites behaves exactly as if you had visited the other website. Those sites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content. I recommend checking the privacy policies of those services if you’re concerned.
Who I share your data with
I don’t sell, rent, or trade your personal information with anyone. I may share data in these limited situations:
- Service providers. I use a small number of trusted services to run the site — for example, my email newsletter provider and my website host. They only have access to the data they need to perform their function, and they are not allowed to use it for other purposes.
- Legal obligations. If required by law, I may share information to comply with a legal process.
- Spam detection. Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service.
Affiliate links and partnerships
Some posts on this site may contain affiliate links — for instance, to books about French architecture or services related to property. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These links do not collect any personal information about you. The companies behind the products may have their own privacy policies, which I encourage you to read.
How long I retain your data
If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so follow-up comments can be approved automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.
If you sign up for the newsletter, your email address is kept until you unsubscribe.
Analytics data is retained in anonymized form for a period that helps me understand long-term trends — typically 26 months for Google Analytics.
Your rights over your data
Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding the personal data I hold about you. These can include:
- The right to access the data I have about you.
- The right to ask me to correct or update incomplete or inaccurate data.
- The right to request that I erase your personal data.
- The right to object to processing or to ask me to restrict processing.
- The right to data portability.
If you have left comments or signed up for the newsletter, you can request an exported file of the personal data I hold, or ask me to delete it. This does not include any data I am obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes. To make a request, just email me at [email protected].
Where your data is sent
Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service. Analytics data may be processed by services based in the United States, which have their own safeguards in place. I choose providers that comply with applicable data protection frameworks.
Changes to this policy
I may update this privacy policy from time to time — for example, if I add a new feature to the site or if legal requirements change. The latest version will always be posted here, with the date of update at the top. If the changes are significant, I’ll add a short note on the homepage or in the newsletter.
Contact
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how your data is handled, you can reach me at:
Claire Durand
[email protected]
I’m just one person writing about French houses and daily life here. I take your privacy seriously, and I’ll do my best to answer any concerns clearly and promptly.