Built on a design by François Coulomb, Bizarre entered service in 1753.

She took part in the Seven Years' War, notably attacking an English convoy off Ireland on 10 October 1758, along with the 28-gun corvette Mignonne.

[2][3] She was activated for the American Revolutionary War under Captain La Landelle-Roscanvec and appointed to Suffren's squadron in the Indian Ocean.

[1] After the Battle of Trincomalee, La Landelle-Roscanvec requested to be relieved and left the squadron, embarking on Pulvérisateur on 3 September 1782, bound for Isle de France.

[1] Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Tréhouret de Pennelé, was dismissed from the Navy.