Ranks in the French Navy

The rank of Vice-Admiral of France (French: Vice-Amiral) was formerly designated as Lieutenant-General of the Naval Armies until 1791, such as in the Levant Fleet and Flotte du Ponant of the Ancien Régime.

Major of the French Navy has a similar history to that of the former Lieutenant-General of the Naval Armies.

The title of Amiral de la Flotte was created so that Darlan would not have an inferior rank to that of his counterpart in the British Royal Navy, who was an Admiral of the Fleet.

Shoulder straps are slightly different, notably without the golden frame for general officers.

Similarly, the Ingénieur des études et techniques de travaux maritimes wear pearl-grey stripes.