It was designed by the architect Laurent Hubac and built between 1669 and 1671 in Brest . The maiden voyage is dated around 1680 to 1690. With 104 cannons, she was the flagship of the Flotte du Ponant . The Soleil Royal was named in honor of Louis XIV.
On May 12, 1692, the Soleil Royal led a fleet of 45 ships, which set course for Barfleur . On May 29th, those ships met the united fleets of the English and Dutch with a total of 97 ships. After a twelve-hour battle, the combined fleets fled with great losses. Damaged by the battle, three French ships, including the Soleil Royal , were pulled onto Cherbourg beach for repairs . On June 2nd and 3rd, 1692 the defenseless ships were set on fire and destroyed by the English and Dutch.