Originally named Achéron and intended as an ammunition transport ship, she was converted to repair ship after her keel had been laid. The Jules Verne was long based in Djibouti (she was featured on the 10 000-Djiboutian francs banknote). In 1997, she was assigned to the Force d'Action Navale. She is designed to replenish, refuel and repair the ships of an operational force at sea. She is fitted with a complete 240-m2 hospital including an operating theatre, a recompression chamber and 16 beds.