Ariane was a 40-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.

Ariane was commissioned on 9 January 1812 under Captain Jean-Baptiste-Henri Féretier.

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 met the British 74-gun ship-of-the-line HMS Northumberland, Captain Henry Hotham.