After the SNCF had completed the electrification of the line between Paris and Lyon with 1,500 V DC, they ordered the CC 7100 for heavy express traffic with 150 km/h or 93 mph. It belonged to a new generation of electric locomotives with bogies and no carrying axles. Its prototypes were the two locomotives CC 7001 and CC 7002 delivered in 1949. Compared to these, the CC 7100 had an increased output of 3,490 kW.

They were the reason why the SNCF did not order any further 2-D-2 electric locomotives. The first batch of 42 locomotives got the numbers CC 7101 to 7143. Another batch of 15 followed in 1955 and was numbered CC 7144 to 7158. They were a bit lighter and had only 3,246 kW. A total of six locomotives received contact shoes for the third rail on the Mont Cenis line.

After CC 7121 had set a record of 243 km/h (151 mph) in 1954, CC 7107 took part in further record attempts together with BB 9004 on March 28 and 29, 1955. They had received a much higher gear ratio and on the first day, CC 7107 set a record of 326 km/h (203 mph). It was surpassed by its four-axle sister on the second day with 331 km/h (206 mph). This record for an electric locomotive stood until the Taurus built by Siemens set a new record of 357 km/h in 2006.

More than 200 locomotives of the same type had been exported to Spain, the Netherlands, Algeria, Morocco, the Soviet Union and China. In France, they were withdrawn between 1985 and 2001. A total of five are preserved.