In 1785, he served in the French Royal Navy on a fluyt, before returning to merchant shipping.
On 1 April 1793, Soleil joined the Navy as a midshipman first class, serving on Brillant again.
Soleil was promoted to lieutenant in December 1794, and to commander in March 1796, serving as second captain on Généreux.
Back to France, Soleil was court-martialled for the loss of his frigate, as systematic in such cases, and found innocent of the capture.
Four of the frigates were captured, and Soleil was taken prisoner by Captain William Lukin of HMS Mars.