 During the war, 75 mm anti-aircraft guns were installed on the roofs of the ship's two forward 240 mm gun turrets.During 1918, the mainmast was shortened to allow the ship to fly a captive kite balloon and the elevation of the 240 mm guns was increased which extended their range to .Construction of "Condorcet" was begun on 26 December 1906 by Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire in Saint-Nazaire and the ship was laid down on 23 August 1907.