Propulsion while surfaced was provided by two 6,000 hp (4,474 kW) diesel motors, with a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

At the beginning of the Second World War Bévéziers was assigned to the 8th Submarine Division, based in Brest, alongside her sisters Agosta, Ouessant and Sidi-Ferruch [fr].

[5] Under the command of Capitaine de corvette Lancelot, Bévéziers was in dock at Dakar when, on 23 September, Free French and British forces attacked the city.

Bévéziers went on to torpedo the British battleship HMS Resolution on 25 September, damaging her and putting her out of action for nearly nine months.

[6] On 28 October Bévéziers joined Casabianca, Sfax and Sidi-Ferruch to form the 2nd Submarine Division, based in Casablanca.

[9] A large part of the boat's hull was nevertheless still visible in 2004 in the Port de la Nièvre at Antsiranana.