Assigned to the Mediterranean Squadron (Escadre de la Méditerranée), she suffered a boiler explosion in 1877 that required extensive repairs and did not return to service until late 1878.

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

When they received word that the Prussian ships had returned to Germany, the squadron sailed to Brest to prepare to blockade the coast of Prussia.

Revanche was assigned to Vice Admiral Léon Martin Fourichon's squadron that was tasked to blockade German ports in the Heligoland Bight.

Bad weather and a series of storms beginning in late August prevented the squadron from coaling and the ships were forced to return to France in early September.

[8] Revanche was reduced to reserve in Toulon on 20 March 1871 and was reactivated for service with the Mediterranean Squadron on 12 November 1875 where she became the flagship of Vice Admiral (vice-amiral) Pierre-Gustave Roze.

[1] Revanche then became the guard ship of the mobile defenses of Algiers, French Algeria, until she was stricken from the navy list on 10 January 1893 and subsequently scrapped.