A process and apparatus for the liquefaction of hydrogen, of the type using a refrigeration cycle whose cycle fluid comprises mostly hydrogen, and a closed liquid nitrogen refrigeration cycle. The cycle fluid is hydrogen and a mixture of C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are liquefied and expanded to form fluids which vaporize in a substantially continuous manner between a temperature of the order of -120.degree. C. and a temperature adjacent ambient temperature. More particularly, the mixture of hydrocarbons is saturated C.sub.2, C.sub.3, and C.sub.5 hydrocarbons, and if desired C.sub.4, and separated liquefied fractions of these hydrocarbons are expanded at respective temperatures before expansion of the order of 0.degree. C. to -10.degree. C., -40.degree. C. to -50.degree. C. and -110.degree. C. to -120.degree. C., to form refrigerant liquids adapted to be vaporized.