Bouvines was the lead ship for her class of two ironclad coast-defence ships built for the French Navy (Marine Nationale) in the early 1890s. Completed in 1895, she always served as a flagship and was initially assigned to the Northern Squadron (Escadre du Nord). The ship was briefly reduced to reserve in 1898, but was reactivated later that year as part of the Mediterranean Squadron (Escadre de Méditerranée). Three years later, Bouvines rejoined the Northern Squadron.