The ironclad played a minor role in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, blockading the Baltic and North Sea coasts of Prussia.

The Provence class was designed as an enlarged version of the Gloire-class ironclads with thicker armor, more powerful guns, and better seakeeping qualities.

[2] The Provence-class ships carried enough coal to allow them to steam for 2,410 nautical miles (4,460 km; 2,770 mi) at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

[1] Guyenne, named after the historic province,[6] was ordered on 16 November 1860 from the Arsenal de Rochefort, laid down on 11 February 1861 and launched on 6 September 1865.

The ship was assigned to Vice Admiral (vice-amiral) Édouard Bouët-Willaumez's squadron that was tasked to blockade German ports in the Heligoland Bight.

It departed Cherbourg on 24 July and, failing to find any German ships, proceeded to Danish waters to wait for further instructions.

Bouët-Williaumez was ordered on 2 August to split his forces with half, including Guyenne, proceeding into the Baltic Sea to blockade the Prussian ports there under his command and the others to return to the Bight.