On or around 15 December 1940, Narval sank after striking a mine in the same minefield off the Kerkennah Islands that sank her sister ship Morse six months prior.

The submarines' electrical propulsion allowed it to attain speeds of 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) while submerged and 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) on the surface.

At the outbreak of World War II, Narval served in the Mediterranean Sea, joining the 4th Submarine Flotilla in Bizerte, then being transferred to Beirut.

At the time of signing the French surrender, the ship was on patrol, and its commander ignored the order on 17 June to stop visiting the British ports, and sailed to Malta.

On 15 December 1940, Narval blew up on a mine in the same minefield off the Kerkennah Islands that sank her sister ship Morse six months earlier.