Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the hydrogenation of aromatic compounds contained in feeds with an initial boiling point of more than 100.degree. C. and which contain at least 10% by weight of aromatic compounds. It consists of introducing chlorine in a concentration of 0.5-500 ppm by weight with respect to the feed at a temperature of between 200.degree. C. and 450.degree. C., a pressure in the range 1 MPa to 25 MPa, an HSV of between 0.1 h.sup.-1 and 10 h.sup.-1 and a volume ratio of hydrogen to feed of 100-2000. The catalyst used is a noble metal type and contains less than 1% of at least one halogen. Preferably, the catalyst is fluorinated or chlorinated.