Built under the Ancien Régime, she took part in the naval operations in the American Revolutionary War.

At the Revolution, she took part in the main actions of the French Revolutionary Wars, notably the so-called Glorious First of June and in Bruix' expedition of 1799.

In 1781 and 1782, she took part in the naval operations in the American Revolutionary War, under Admiral de Grasse.

[3][4][5] In August, Sceptre, Astrée and Engageante, under La Pérouse, raided several English fur trading posts during the Hudson Bay Expedition, including Fort Prince of Wales.

She later took part in the Croisière du Grand Hiver winter campaign of 1794–1795, the Expédition d'Irlande of December 1796, and the Bruix' expedition of 1799.