She was built in Rochefort in 1886 and commissioned in 1892. 1893 she took part in the naval review during the World's Columbian Exhibition. She was reinstated second class cruiser in 1897 and was sent to East Asia. In 1902, she returned to Lorient to be decommissioned. She was recommissioned in 1906 and sent to the Caribbean. She ran aground in 1907 at Ras Nouadhibou and became a total loss.