The invention relates to a continuous method for the catalytic hydrogenation of an aromatic compound into a cycloaliphatic compound, wherein said method is carried out in a piston reactor provided with a mechanical axially agitating means and comprises continuously feeding a liquid phase comprising said aromatic compound and a catalyst dispersed to the liquid phase, subjecting said liquid phase, at a temperature of between 100° C. and 300° C. and while being mechanical axially agitated, to the effects of a hydrogen pressure of between 10 and 250 bars in the presence of said catalyst dispersed in the liquid phase for a residence time of between 1 second and 10 minutes, and removing the liquid phase from the reactor.