 "Liberté" was laid down at the "Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire" shipyard in November 1902, launched on 19 April 1905.On 5 September 1907, "Liberté" steamed to the Arsenal de Brest in Brest, France, where her armament was installed.She departed Brest on 18 March, bound for the Mediterranean Sea, and after arriving in Toulon, was pronounced complete on 13 April 1908.