During trials, performance under sail was poor, probably because of the propeller which increased the drag.

She took part in the Crimean War as admiral Armand Joseph Bruat's flagship, in June 1854.

An epidemic of cholera affected 300 sailors aboard, of whom 120 died, including Bruat.

On 5 March 1855 she took part in the Siege of Sevastopol, then in the expedition to Kerch and in the Battle of Kinburn.

In 1860, Montebello replaced Suffren at Toulon as a school-ship for gunnery, and in 1867, she was used as a floating barracks.