The class was designed by Maxime Laubeuf and used Drzewiecki drop collar launchers and external cradles to launch torpedoes.

She had a single shaft powered by one diesel engine for surface running of 150 horsepower (112 kilowatts) and an electric motor which produced 130 hp (97 kW) for submerged propulsion.

She was the first submersible in the world to be launched which used a diesel engine for surface running[3][4] although the experimental submarine Z was both the first to be ordered and commissioned.

[1] On 5 October 1904, hydrogen leaked out of the submarine's battery causing parts of it to explode,[3] and on 13 May 1908, she was sent to Toulon to serve as a training boat.

[1] In 1916, Aigrette participated in successful tests for underwater cutting of anti-submarine nets, but the result were never implemented in a warship before the end of the war.