The invention relates to a supported catalyst comprising a predominantly calcined aluminium oxide support and an active phase comprising nickel, the nickel content being between 5 and 65% by weight of said element relative to the total mass of the catalyst, said active phase not comprising group VIB metals, the nickel particles having a diameter less than or equal to 20 nm, said catalyst having a mesoporous median diameter greater than or equal to 14 nm, a mesoporous volume measured by mercury porosimetry of greater than or equal to 0.45 ml/g, a total porous volume measured by mercury porosimetry greater than or equal to 0.45 ml/g, a macroporous volume less than 5% of the total porous volume, said catalyst being in the form of grains having a mean diameter of between 0.5 et 0 mm. The invention also relates to the method for preparation of said catalyst and the use of same in a hydrogenation method.