In May 1777, Champorcin captained the 64-gun "Provence", based at Toulon. The next year, he was promoted to Brigadier, and "Provence" was appointed to the squadron under Estaing, bound for America. At the Battle of Rhode Island, "Provence" and "Protecteur", under Dapchon, remained at sea to blockade Newport and prevent British relief to reach the city. He was killed at the Battle of Grenada on 6 July 1779.