In 1778, Estienne d'Orves was in command of the 80-gun "Orient", with the rank of captain. On 28 December, during the Anglo-French War, he departed Brest to reinforce the French colony of Isle de France. When François-Jean-Baptiste l'Ollivier de Tronjoli, commander of the French forces in the Indian Ocean, was recalled to France, he transferred command to Estienne d'Orves.