The Soleil Royal was launched in 1669. It was the pride of the French. In 1690, it carried the flag of vice-admiral Count of Tourville. In July 1690, Tourville led a fleet of seventy ships out of Brest and on July 10, he met a combined English and Dutch fleet of fifty-seven ships. The English and Dutch fleet lost eight ships, whilst the French lost none in a Victory called Beveziers.

Two years later, the position was reversed. On May 20, Tourville again met an Anglo-Dutch fleet of eighty-seven ships.  The Le Soleil Royal was so badly damaged, that Tourville was forced to transfer his flag the next day. Le Soleil Royal, and two other French vessels, was forced into Cherbourg where they ran aground and were eventually destroyed.