Circa 1680, France
A legendary French Navy ship of the line.
The Soleil Royal was designed by architect L. Hubac to be an exceptional symbol of power and grace. She was built in Brest and launched sometime between 1670 and 1690. With her 104 guns, the Soleil Royal was a magnificent flagship ...
Circa 1680, France
A legendary French Navy ship of the line.
The Soleil Royal was designed by architect L. Hubac to be an exceptional symbol of power and grace. She was built in Brest and launched sometime between 1670 and 1690. With her 104 guns, the Soleil Royal was a magnificent flagship of the French fleet with tremendous firepower.
The Soleil Royal was named in honour of the Sun King, Louis XIV.
In 1690, under the command of Captain Anne-Hilarion de Costentin the Soleil Royal took part in the battle of Beachy Head which ended as great victory of the French over the British and Dutch. In 1692, leading a fleet of 45 ships she took part in the battle of Barfleur where the French fleet met the fleets of England and the Netherlands totalling 97 ships. Both sides suffered heavy damage. Some French ships – amongst which the Soleil Royal – while being under repair in Cherbourg, were attacked by the Dutch and British and set on fire.