Épée was one of four Framée-class destroyers built for the French Navy around the beginning of the 20th century.

The ships carried enough coal to give them a range of 2,055 nautical miles (3,806 km; 2,365 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

Their complement consisted of four officers and forty-four enlisted men.

[2] Épée was ordered from Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée on 27 October 1897 and was laid down on 126 May 1898 at its shipyard in Granville-Le Havre.

[3] When the First World War began in August 1914, Épée was one of the leaders (divisionnaire) in the 3rd Submarine Flotilla (3e escadrille sous-marins) of the 2nd Light Squadron (2e escadre légère),[4] based at Cherbourg,[3] although the ship was not ready for service.