She is notable as having claimed territories of the Southern Indian Ocean for France, including the Kerguelen Islands in 1893.

She was part of a 1885 order comprising six other avisos of the same class (Meurthe, Drôme, Aube, Durance, Rance and Manche), designed as mixed sail and steam ships.

President Sadi Carnot sent Eure on a mission to claim the French Southern and Antarctic Lands for France.

On 1 January 1893, Eure entered Baie de l'Oiseau, North of Kerguelen Islands.

In 1897, under Alphonse Lecuve, Eure toured New Guinea and Brisbane, finally arriving at Nouméa in New Caledonia.