Its counterpart was the Flotte du Ponant, which saw service in the English Channel and in the Atlantic Ocean.

At first based in Fréjus, from the beginning of the 17th century the fleet was based at two specialized arsenals: The fleet's flagship was traditionally the Réale, flying the flag of général des galères [fr] (a grand-officer of the crown of France), as seen at the Musée national de la Marine.

Although Tourville commanded the fleet during the battles of the reign of Louis XIV, his successors were too old to have likely served at sea.

In practice, the squadrons at sea were under officers with the rank of Lieutenant général des Armées navales.

The term "Fleet of the Levant" was temporary readopted after the French Restoration and the July Monarchy.