She was offered to King Louis XV by the Estates of Languedoc, as part of the don des vaisseaux, a national effort to rebuild the navy after the Seven Years' War.

The fleet reached New York on 8 July 1778, and Languedoc landed the French chargé d'affaires.

The 50-gun HMS Renown raked her, but she was saved by the timely arrival of a French squadron led by Suffren.

Languedoc was Estaing's flagship for his mission to the British colonies in North America, with Boulainvilliers as flag captain.

The French fleet was parted in two, and Languedoc retreated, leaving De Grasse to be captured.

She took part in the campaign off Italy, and was badly damaged in the tempests of December; from 21 to 23, Scipion had to assist.

As Victoire, under captain Savary, she took part in the campaign off Italy, where she confronted Nelson's squadron.