She was an essentially experimental submarine, and although in service during World War I, saw no action.

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 hp (112 kW) and an electric motor which produced 130 horsepower (97 kilowatts) for submerged propulsion.

[1][2][3] Cigogne was laid down on 13 May 1902, launched on 11 November 1904 and commissioned on 18 July 1906.

[1][3] Cigogne was retired from service on 12 November 1919 and sold for scrap at Toulon on 14 April 1920.