Oriflamme was one of 10 Branlebas-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.

When the First World War began in August 1914, Oriflamme was assigned to the 1st Destroyer Flotilla (1re escadrille de torpilleurs) of the 2nd Light Squadron (2e escadre légère)[1] based at Cherbourg.