Flotte du Ponant

Flotte du Ponant
The arsenal of Brest in 1776 Tableau of Louis-Nicolas Van Blarenberghe (1716 - 1794)
Active	1669 – 1792
Country	Kingdom of France
Branch	Royal French Navy (French: )
Type	Naval fleet
Role	Naval operations in Manche, the Atlantic Ocean and American Oceanic Waters
Garrison/HQ	Arsenal of Brest, Le Havre, Rochefort, Lorient, Cherbourg and Brouage
Engagements	Franco-Dutch War Nine Years' War War of the Spanish Succession War of the Austrian Succession Seven Years' War Independence War of the United States (U.S.)

The term Flotte du Ponant designated under the Ancien Regime the ensemble of naval vessels of the Royal French Navy (French: ) destined for naval operations ( naval supremacy, protection of convoys) in Manche (French: ), the Atlantic Ocean and American Oceanic Waters ( principally in the French West Indies and New France). The fleet is the alter ego of the Levant Fleet, based in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Flotte du Ponant was created by Cardinal Richelieu. The fleet consisted of three principal bases: Le Havre, Arsenal of Brest and Hiers-Brouage.

Under Louis XIV, the arsenal of Brest was the principal confirmed arsenal, supported by the arsenals of Rochefort and Lorient.

Under Louis XVI, the military port of Cherbourg is added, which structures were recently being commissioned when the French Revolution debuted.

The admiral vessel (French: ) was always the most powerful unit present at Brest, being:

The commandment of the two fleets ( Ponant and Levant) was entrusted on November 12, 1669 to two Vice-admirals. The vice-admirals of the Ponant were :

In case d'Estrées commanded the fleet during the battles of the reign of Louis XIV, his successors would have hardly served at sea with such a senior age. The squadrons were confined during the 18th century to the Lieutenant Generals of the Naval Armies (French: ).