Ariane was commissioned on 1 August 1811 under Captain Nicolas Morice.

Between 21 February 1812 and 17 May, a three-vessel French squadron consisting of the frigates Ariane and Andromaque, and the brig Mameluck engaged in commerce raiding in the Atlantic.

They made a cartel of Patent, putting their British prisoners aboard her; she arrived at Plymouth on 24 May.

[1] Returning to Lorient, the squadron encountered the British 74-gun ship-of-the-line HMS Northumberland, Captain Henry Hotham.

In the ensuing Action of 22 May 1812, the two frigates ran aground trying to escape their much stronger opponent, and were set afire to prevent their capture.