[1] On 12 February 1792, Montalan joined the Navy as an enseigne de vaisseau non entretenu (junior ensign), serving on the corvette Vanneau and later on the frigate Résolue.
[1] In the night of 22 to 23 December, she accidentally collided with Redoutable, losing her of her bowsprit, foremast, and mizzen; only her mainmast stayed upright.
[2][3] the 74-gun Pégase took Résolue in tow and returned with her to Brest, where they arrived on 30 December;[4] In 1797, Montalan took command of a frigate division comprising Sémillante, Fraternité and the corvette Berceau, with his flag on Sémillante, ferrying General Hédouville to Saint Domingue.
[1] In 1799, he took command of another division, composed of Sémillante, Charente and two avisos to bring despatches to Admiral Bruix.
After the Blockade of Saint-Domingue resulted in the capitulation of General Rochambeau in December 1803, Montalan was taken to Jamaica as a prisoner of war, and eventually returned to France the next year.