[1][2] The French Navy started organising Escadre d'évolution early in its existence.
[2] The practice fell in disuse due to an era of wars and lack of credits.
[4] On 8 September 1775, Guichen's training squadron appeared on the horizon and was in port a mere two hours later; the event shook Sartine, who remarked that the defences of Brest could never be manned in such a short time, and thus had to be reinforced and maintained at a constant state of readiness, even in peacetime.
From 10 May, the squadron conducted a four-month cruise between Ushant and Cape Finisterre, and with 3,705 men — fewer than in wartime, but noticeably more than the normal peacetime complement.
Notably, when Louis XVI visited Cherbourg naval base in April 1786 to mark the completion of a sea wall, the Escadre d'évolution held a naval review and naumachia under Chef d'Escadre Albert de Rions, with his flag on the 74-gun Patriote.