Achille was part of a fairly homogeneous series of 31 deep-sea patrol submarines also called "1,500-tonners" because of their displacement.

Propelled on the surface by two diesel engines producing a combined 6,000 horsepower (4,474 kW), they had a maximum speed of 18.6 knots (34.4 km/h; 21.4 mph).

When submerged, their two electric motors produced a combined 2,250 horsepower (1,678 kW) and allowed them to reach 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

Also called “deep-cruising submarines”, their range on the surface was 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

[3] On 26 March 1938, she departed France for a cruise to Port-Gentil in Gabon, at the time a territory of French Equatorial Africa.

[3] On 14 November 1939, the 2nd Submarine Division received orders to proceed to Halifex, Nova Scotia, Canada, to take part in Allied convoy operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

While departing Dundee on 18 April 1940, Achille collided with Pasteur, damaging one of Pasteur′s diving planes and one of her propeller shafts.

While she was returning from this patrol, a British bomber mistook her for a German submarine and attacked her in Dundee Channel, dropping five bombs.