No sentence severe enough for ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot, say residents of town where mass rape occurred

"It's horrible what happened to that woman."

It may be the annual Christmas market in Mazan's central square, with life seemingly going on as normal, but a dark cloud has been looming over this small French town.

It was in Mazan where Dominique Pelicot, by his own admission in court, invited dozens of men he recruited online over to his home to rape his wife Gisèle Pelicot after he drugged her. Fifty-one in all are accused.

The trial in nearby Avignon adjourned on Monday ahead of verdicts expected later this week. Since the hearings began in early September, they've captivated the nation, even the world.

That's in part due to the sordid details, but largely because Gisèle Pelicot, 71, waived her right to anonymity, putting a name and a face to a victim, a decision so rarely seen.

"We're waiting impatiently for the sentences to come down," said 52-year-old Yannick Richard from his kiosk. The retiree is selling knitted stuffed animals and sweaters at the market.

"We really have to mark the occasion. We can't let it go by with little sentences."

Gisèle Pelicot became an icon for those fighting against sexual violence for testifying about the harrowing events, in which she was rendered unconscious by her now ex-husband, who invited strangers into their home to rape her, between 2011 and 2020.

"When she took the decision to open the trial to the public, she did it because she felt that it was necessary for the public to understand what happened to her. She never did it because she wanted attention," Pelicot's lawyer Stéphane Babonneau said after the trial had adjourned.

In Mazan, though, few want to talk about the case. Most of the citizens in the town of about 6,000 are fed up, angry that their home has become synonymous with rape.

Those who do talk try to steer away from the details, instead highlighting the beauty of their village. 

"As a Mazanaise, I don't have too much of an opinion on the case. It's very tragic what happened to that lady. As a woman, I find it appalling," said 58-year-old singer Poline de Peretti, who has lived in the village for 18 years.

"The rapist of Mazan? No, no, no. It's the story of Madame Pelicot and the family Pelicot. I would really like to invite you to visit our village. The people are charming." 

Still, de Peretti can't help but give an opinion.