Launched in 1892, the vessel joined the Northern Squadron of the French Navy (Esadre du Nord) at Brest.

Armed with a main armament of two 274 mm (10.8 in) guns, the vessel was designed within the principles of the Jeune École.

A larger and more capable design based on the French ironclad Furieux launched in 1883, Jemmapes was the lead ship of a class of two coastal defense ships designed by de Bussy for the French Navy (Marine Nationale) as part of a wider adoption of the principles of Jeune École.

While undertaking sea trials, Jemmapes reached a speed of 15.68 knots (29.0 km/h; 18.0 mph) from 9,118 ihp (6,799 kW).

[3] Jemmapes carried a main battery of two Canon de 274 mm (10.8 in) Modèle 1887 guns in a two single-gun turrets, one forward of the superstructure and the other aft.

[8] The manoeuvres included a forced landing at Quiberon and a mock blockade and attack on Cherbourg and Rochefort.

[9] The ship also took part in the maneuvers the following year, conducted from 6 to 26 July in conjunction with the local defense forces of Brest, Rochefort, Cherbourg, and Lorient.

[10] At the end of the century, the vessel was part of the Coastal Defence Division alongside the ironclads Amiral Tréhouart, Bouvines and Valmy.

[11] Meanwhile, French naval doctrine was changing and the focus on coastal defense was being replaced by one of larger sea-going warships.