While Dominique Pelicot was given the maximum sentence, the jail terms handed down for the other men were mostly for fewer years than what had been asked for by prosecutors.
The children of Gisèle Pelicot said in a statement they were disappointed by what they called the low sentences given to the defendants.
The average jail term for rape in France is 11.1 years, according to the French justice ministry.
The other defendants come from all walks of life and most of them are from a 50km (30-mile) radius of the Pelicots’ village of Mazan. The fact they are firefighters, security guards and lorry drivers has earned them the name Monsieur-Tout-Le-Monde (Mr Everyman). Most of them have children too.
Romain Vandevelde, 63, was found guilty of raping Gisèle Pelicot on six separate occasions while knowing he was HIV-positive. His lawyer said he could not have passed on the infection as he had years of treatment.
Ahead of the verdicts, one of the few men who has admitted rape told the BBC through his daughter that many people had made up their minds right away: “There was not enough time. For me it was botched work.”
Joseph Cocco, 69, a retired sports coach and grandfather had been recommended the lightest sentence of four years in prison for the charge of aggravated sexual assault. He was sentenced to three years.
Some of them have apologised for their behaviour, but many have not.
Cyril Beaubis said he was sorry to Gisèle Pelicot.
“I’m ashamed of myself, I’m disgusted,” said Jean-Pierre Marechal this week. His lawyer hoped that the judges would take account of his contrition.
