The trial garnered immense interest in the wake of her decision to allow the trial to be open to the public from the outset and waive her right to anonymity.
Her former husband Dominique Pelicot, who had already confessed to the crimes, was earlier found guilty by the court in the southern city of Avignon.
Presiding judge Roger Arata said Dominique Pelicot, 72, will not be eligible for parole until he has served two thirds of his sentence.
His 50 co-defendants were also convicted by the court, with no acquittals.
They received jail terms of between three and 15 years – less than what prosecutors had demanded. Two of these defendants had their jail terms suspended.
“INCOMPREHENSION AND DISAPPOINTMENT”
Under the terms of the sentencing, six accused were allowed to walk free from the court. Only the sentence given to Dominique Pelicot was fully in line with what prosecutors demanded.
The three Pelicot children “are disappointed by these low sentences”, said a family member, asking not to be identified, adding that there was “no question” of any of the children wanting to speak to their father after the conviction.
“The court has proved Gisele Pelicot right: shame can change sides,” said women’s rights group the Fondation des Femmes (Women’s Foundation), while adding it “shared the incomprehension and disappointment at some of the sentences handed down, despite the witnesses and the evidence”.
Dominique Pelicot had filmed and then meticulously filed away videos of the rapes, unwittingly helping police to track down the men who he invited to rape his wife. The video evidence was shown during the trial.
Tension was palpable in the courtroom, where a heavy police presence was deployed.
Many defendants arrived at the hearing with their bags packed, ready for prison. One of them was in tears as he hugged his companion before entering the courtroom.
