Each gîte is given ears of corn according to its standard of comfort . This table shows what the ratings mean.
 

SELF-CATERING GÎTES 
Pleasant apartment or house with one or more bedrooms, a kitchen with a fridge, cooker (including oven), pressure cooker, electric coffee machine, a blender and an iron and a bathroom with a bath or shower.
High-quality furniture and interior decoration, with more amenities (household appliances, washing-machine, etc.), this type of gîte usually includes a living-room and a garden or a courtyard, with garden furniture and a barbecue.
A very well-equipped gîte with high-quality decoration and a pleasant, well-tended courtyard or landscaped garden, an independent living-room and comfortable furniture. In addition to the 2 ears of corn amenities: dish-washer, colour television and telephone.
Detached house of character with full amenities, high-quality furniture and interior decoration (fireplace). Linen is supplied and the beds are made for when the guests arrive. In addition to the 3 ears of corn amenities: micro-wave oven and clothes-dryer.
This means a new, recently-approved gîte which is waiting for its rating.
This means a gîte which has been renovated and is awaiting its new rating.

BED AND BREAKFAST 
Basic rooms with a washbasin. The bathroom (with bath or shower) and toilet is shared with other rooms. Breakfast is served in a separate room, generally the owner's dining-room.
Comfortably-appointed rooms with at minimum a private (but not en suite) shower or bathroom.
Very well-appointed rooms with en suite shower or bath and toilet.
Luxuriously-appointed room with fully-fitted en-suite bathroom and toilet, in a house of character with an outstanding setting. Additional services are often available.
This means a new, recently-approved bed-and-breakfast which is waiting for its rating.
This means a bed-and-breakfast which has been renovated and is awaiting its new rating.