Durandal was the name ship of her class of four destroyers built for the French Navy in the late 1890s.

[1][2] They were designed by the French specialist builder of torpedo vessels, Chantiers et Ateliers A. Normand, based on their Filibustier-class torpedo boat design, but enlarged and with a stronger hull.

[3] Like all the 300 tonne destroyers, Durandal had a "turtleback"[a] forecastle and a raised flying-deck aft.

[7] When the First World War began in August 1914, Durandal was one of the leaders (divisionnaire) in the 2nd Submarine Flotilla (2ère escadrille sous-marins) of the 2nd Light Squadron (2e escadre légère)[8] based at Cherbourg.

[9] On 12 October, Durandal, the destroyer Escopette and the auxiliary cruiser Pas de Calais (a converted paddle packet ship), engaged the German submarine U-20 off Cap Gris-Nez.