This invention relates to a process for hydrogenation of benzene contained in a catalytic reformate, in which: The hydrogen that is present in the catalytic reformate is separated from the remainder of the reformate with separation means, A light benzene-enriched fraction is separated from the heavy reformate, The light reformate that contains the benzene is brought into contact with a nickel-based hydrogenation catalyst at a temperature of between 90° C. and 150° C., a VVH of between 0.5 and 10, and with at least one portion of hydrogen that is obtained during the separation stage of the hydrogen at the top of the separator tank and used at the output pressure of said separator.