Solférino was the second and last ship of the Magenta class of broadside ironclads built for the French Navy (Marine nationale) in the early 1860s.

[2] During their sea trials, Solférino[3] achieved a speed of 12.88 knots (23.85 km/h; 14.82 mph) from 4,012 metric horsepower (2,951 kW).

[1] The Magenta class carried enough coal to allow them to steam for 1,840 nautical miles (3,410 km; 2,120 mi) at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

[5] On 4 January 1864 the armament was determined as:[5][1][3][4][6] On 20 October 1866, the lower battery was disarmed and a new configuration was determined:[5] In February 1868, this was changed again to:[7] In December 1868, this was changed to:[7][1][3] The Magentas had a full-length waterline belt that consisted of wrought-iron plates 120 mm (4.7 in) thick.

Above the belt both gun decks were protected with 109 mm (4.3 in) of armor, but the ends of the ships were unprotected.