Propulsion while surfaced was provided by two Normand-Vickers diesel engines with a total of 1,300 bhp (969 kW) and while submerged by two electric motors providing a total of 1,000 hp (746 kW) through two shafts giving a maximum speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) while surfaced and 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) while submerged.

Her bunkers of 95 long tons (97 t; 15,200 st) of diesel fuel gave her a surfaced range of 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km; 8,100 mi) at 7.5 knots (13.9 km/h; 8.6 mph) and 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), and her batteries gave her a submerged range of 80 nautical miles (148 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph).

The moored contact mines they used contained 220 kg (485 lb) of TNT and could be laid in waters up to 200 metres (656 ft) deep.

In November 1942, after Operation Torch, Perle joined the Allied fleet and was assigned to Dakar.

The crew killed aboard Perle were the last casualties among French submariners in World War II.