She served in the War of American Independence under Captain Lapérouse, notably taking part in the action of 21 July 1781 and the Hudson Bay expedition.

She was the flagship of a two-frigate division, also comprising Hermione, under Lieutenant Latouche Tréville.

[2] On 21 July 1781, Hermione and Astrée encountered a British convoy and engaged, leading to the Naval battle of Louisbourg[3] where they captured the 14-gun corvette Jack.

[2] In August 1782, she took part in the Hudson Bay expedition, along with Engageante and the 74-gun Sceptre,[1] under Fleuriot de Langle.

[1] Astrée was wrecked off Santo Amaro, Azores on 29 January 1796 with the loss of 138 lives.