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When the French and Spanish fleets were spotted reaching Toulon off Hyeres on 2 April 1801 with its resupply convoy, the Royal Navy under Admiral Keith spotted the French Navy, which was escorting the convoy that successfully supplied Egypt. What the Royal Navy needed to defend the blockade of Toulon was reinforcements and these came over the winter of early 1801. When the opportunity came on 2 April 1801, the French and Spanish were ordered to give battle to victory.

The battle began with HMS Ville de Paris attacking the French ship Redoubtable, which was badly damaged. Although Redoubtable was totally dismasted, 5 third rate ships of the line from the French Navy came to Redoubtable's assistance and left HMS Ville de Paris nearly dismasted, only for 4 British ships of the line to totally dismast the French ships Tyrannicide, Indomptable and Constitution. All 4 of the mentioned French ships surrendered to the British with heavy losses.

Further to the vanguard, the HMS Queen would dismast the French flagship Ocean, which surrendered with Bruix dead and very heavy deck damage that all its masts fell off, although HMS Queen received equally devastating damage. Spain lost a first rate, Mexicano. Also, the vanguard would lose Soberano, San Telmo, Bahama and Pelayo among Spanish ships.

The centre of the battle would see France losing the Republicain, Mont Blanc and Fougueux, while Spain lost Reina Luisa, San Francisco de Paulo, Neptuno and Conquestador. HMS Sans Pareil was totally dismasted again, but was saved by reinforcements. No British or Coalition losses were incurred despite heavy hull damage to, 2 or more lost masts from or heavy crew losses received by Ville de Paris, Royal Sovereign, Queen, Sans Pareil, Impetueux, Marlborough, Defence, Achille and Mars along with several Portuguese ships.

On seeing the defeat of the French and Spanish fleets, the rearguard fled, but the obsolete Zele and Guerrero were captured as stragglers. This would be in addition to San Francisco de Asis.