Launched in 1891 in Cherbourg, Wattignies was commissioned into the Mediterranean Squadron (Escadre de la Méditerranée) as part of the reserve.

The Wattignies-class cruisers were designed as enlarged and improved versions of the preceding Condor class by Louis de Bussy in 1888.

The design was created in response to the 1884 publication La Marine de Guerre, son Passé et son Avenir, Cuirassé et Torpilleurs (The Navy, its Past and its Future, Battleship and Torpedo boats), in which Minister of Marine, Auguste Gougeard, articulated his vision of the warship of the future.

The machinery was designed to produce a total of 4,000 PS (2,900 kW) intended to give them a maximum speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).

The deck was armoured with curved wrought iron that was 40 mm (1.6 in) thick in a similar way to the preceding Condor class.

[7] On completion, Wattignies undertook trials until 27 July 1892, at which point the vessel arrived in Toulon to be commissioned in the Mediterranean Squadron (Escadre de la Méditerranée).

[10] In 1895, increasing unrest in Crete led the Ottoman Empire to seek assistance from France in restoring peace between the different factions.

On 24 June, the French ambassador, along with representatives from five other European powers submitted a response, which proposed a military and political solution rather than humanitarian one.

To support these endeavours, and to protect their national interest, the French Navy allocated warships to the island.

[12] During September 1896, it was the turn of Wattignies to be designated a station ship in Crete, relieving the ironclad Marceau.