Léon Gambetta-class cruiser

The Léon Gambetta class consisted of three armored cruisers built for the French Navy (Marine Nationale) during the first decade of the 20th century. Armed with four 194-millimeter (7.6 in) guns, the ships were much larger and more powerfully armed than their predecessors. Léon Gambetta, the first of the sister ships to be completed, was initially assigned to the Northern Squadron (Escadre du Nord) where she served as a flagship. Her sisters Jules Ferry and Victor Hugo were assigned to the Mediterranean Squadron (Escadre de la Méditerranée) where Jules Ferry also served as a flagship. Léon Gambetta joined them there in 1910 and the sisters remained there for most of their careers.

During World War I, the cruisers escorted convoys as well as the capital ships of the French fleet. The ships participated in the blockade of the Austro-Hungarian Navy in the Adriatic Sea until 1917. Léon Gambetta was sunk by an Austro-Hungarian submarine in April 1915 with heavy loss of life. In mid-1917, Jules Ferry became a transport and Victor Hugo was reduced to reserve. She was joined by her sister in mid-1918.

They were reactivated in 1921 to serve with the Atlantic Flying Division (Division volante de l'Atlantique). In 1922–1925, the sisters alternated service in the Far East, but were again placed in reserve upon their return. Jules Ferry was sold for scrap in 1928 and Victor Hugo followed two years later.