Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her over nearly a decade, begging his family's forgiveness, as he told a French court on Tuesday: "I am a rapist".

Pelicot's hearing, the centrepiece of one of France's most spectacular criminal trials in recent history, had to be pushed back last week due to his bad health.

He faces multiple charges including rape, gang rape and privacy breaches by recording and disseminating sexual images.

Pelicot appeared in court with a cane on Tuesday morning and spoke to the judge through a microphone. His lawyer said he took heavy medication and was allowed to take breaks to lie down throughout the day.

"I am a rapist just like all the others in this room," he said, adding, "I ask my wife, my children, my grandchildren to accept my apologies. I regret what I did. I ask for your forgiveness, even if it is not forgivable."

The case has shocked the country and triggered nationwide protests in support of his wife Gisele and against male sexual violence.

Dominique Pelicot told the courtroom he had a difficult upbringing and had himself been a victim of rape. At times he cried, according to French media.

Gisele Pelicot was in the courtroom during his appearance on the stand and was greeted with applause by spectators when she left during breaks.