The "La Galissonnière"-class cruisers were commissioned by the French Navy in the 1930s. They were the last French cruisers completed after 1935, until the completion of in 1956. They are considered fast, reliable and successful ships. Two cruisers of this class, and took part in the defence of Dakar in late September 1940 during World War II. With the cruiser , they joined the Allied forces after the successful Allied landings in North Africa in November 1942. The three other cruisers of the "La Galissonière" class, held under Vichy control at Toulon, were scuttled on 27 November 1942.