1. What cookies are
A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your device so that it can recognise you on the next page or the next visit. Some are strictly necessary — without them a site cannot remember that you have already answered a question. Others measure how a site is used or remember preferences. This site also uses one item of browser "local storage", which works like a cookie but never leaves your device. We treat it as a cookie for the purposes of this policy and of the French CNIL's guidelines.
2. How we ask for consent
On your first visit a banner offers three choices: Accept All, Reject Non-Essential and Preferences. Essential storage is set regardless, because it is what records your answer. Analytics and functional cookies are set only if you accept them. Your choice is kept for twelve months, after which we ask again. You can change it at any time by choosing "Cookie preferences" in the footer of any page, which reopens the banner with the preference panel expanded.
3. The cookies we use
| Name | Category | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| stcs-cookie-consent | Essential | showtrailscoutshelf.com (local storage) | Records whether you accepted, rejected or customised cookies so the banner does not reappear | 12 months |
| booking_session | Essential | Reservation platform | Keeps your place in the booking flow while you complete a reservation | Session |
| __stripe_mid | Essential | Stripe | Fraud prevention when a card guarantee or deposit is taken | 12 months |
| _pk_id | Analytics | Matomo (self-hosted) | Distinguishes returning visitors using an anonymous identifier; IP addresses are truncated | 13 months |
| _pk_ses | Analytics | Matomo (self-hosted) | Groups page views from a single visit | 30 minutes |
| stcs-lang | Functional | showtrailscoutshelf.com | Remembers a preferred display language if one is chosen | 6 months |
| stcs-menu-view | Functional | showtrailscoutshelf.com | Remembers whether you last viewed prices in list or table form | 6 months |
We do not use advertising cookies, social-media pixels or any third-party tracking that follows you to other websites. Analytics runs on our own server in France and no analytics data is shared with an outside company.
4. Why essential cookies cannot be refused
Under Article 82 of the French Data Protection Act and the ePrivacy rules, storage that is strictly necessary to provide a service you have asked for does not require consent. Remembering your cookie choice, holding a booking in progress and preventing card fraud all fall into that category. Refusing them would make it impossible to book or to remember that you refused.
5. Controlling cookies in your browser
Beyond our banner, every browser lets you view, delete or block cookies. Blocking all cookies may stop the reservation form from working.
- Google Chrome — Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies. Instructions: support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
- Mozilla Firefox — Settings → Privacy & Security → Enhanced Tracking Protection. Instructions: support.mozilla.org
- Apple Safari — Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data. Instructions: support.apple.com
- Microsoft Edge — Settings → Cookies and site permissions. Instructions: support.microsoft.com
Local storage is cleared through the same "site data" controls as cookies in all four browsers. If you clear it, the banner will appear again on your next visit.
6. More information
How we handle the personal data that some of these cookies touch is explained in our privacy policy. Questions about cookies can be sent to [email protected]. The CNIL publishes independent guidance on cookies at cnil.fr.