Ernest Renan
"Ernest Renan", named after the philosopher and philologist Ernest Renan, was built at the "Chantiers de Penhoët" shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. Her keel was laid down on 21 October 1903 and she was launched on 9 April 1906. Fitting-out work was completed by early 1909, and she was commissioned into the French Navy in February. After entering service, "Ernest Renan" was assigned to the cruiser squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet, based in Toulon. In April 1912, she was assigned to the 1st Light Squadron, along with the two s.