The present invention provides a process for the production of THF and 1,4-BDO from furan in the presence of a catalytic composition, wherein the catalytic composition contains at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Jr, Ni, Pd, Pt and, optionally, contains one or more additional metal on a solid support, and wherein said process comprises the steps of: i) contacting furan with hydrogen and water in a reactor in the presence of said catalytic composition for a time; ii) stopping the flow of furan and the flow of water to the reactor and removing furan and water from the reactor; iii) subjecting the catalytic composition to a gas stream comprising hydrogen at a temperature of from 200 to 600° C. in the absence of the furan and water; iv) re-starting the flow of furan and the flow of water to the reactor.