Work on a squadron reconnaissance project began in France back in 1909. The ship was ordered but not laid down due to the outbreak of World War I. During the war, the project was revised several times. In the final version, the main battery was represented by eight 138.6 mm guns arranged in four twin-gun turrets. However, by that time, French engineers were researching captured German cruisers, as well as the information they had received about the characteristics of American Omaha-class cruisers. As a result of their findings, the project was considered obsolete.