In 1776, Solitaire was under Chef d'Escadre Chartres as flagship of one of the three division of the Escadre d'évolution that year.

[8][5] In 1779, she was part of a division under Louis Augustin de Monteclerc, also comprising the frigates Inconstante and Surveillante, and led an expedition to hunt down privateers.

[11] Solitaire was part of a squadron that comprised Triton, Résolue, Nymphe, and the brig Speedy.

[12] After a dark night, Solitaire, Captain de Borda, found herself in the morning close to a squadron of eight British ships under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Hughes, which was on its way from Gibraltar.

The English gave chase and Solitaire sailed to delay them and give the rest of the French squadron a chance to escape.