Process for manufacture of D-xylose characterized by the fact that:in a first step, syrup of D-xylulose is subjected to an enzymatic isomerization in M.sub.3 providing a mixture of D-xylose and D-xylulose,in a second step, the abovesaid mixture is subjected to chromatographic treatment in M.sub.4 leading to at least two fractions of which one is highly enriched in D-xylose (fraction X.sub.1) et of which the other is highly enriched in D-xylulose (fraction X.sub.2),in a third step, the fraction X.sub.2 is recycled through a pipe P to M.sub.3,the D-xylose being recovered from the fraction X.sub.1, the latter can also be subjected directly to a hydrogenation step.