The Hercule class was a late type of 100-gun ships of the line of the French Navy.

They were the second strongest of four ranks of ships of the line designed by the Commission de Paris.

While the first units were classical straight-walled ships of the line, next ones were gradually converted to steam, and the last one was built with an engine.

[1] With the Henri IV, a rounded stern was introduced.

The next ships were built with the rounded stern, and it was retrofitted on the early units of the class.