The Atalante was a 40-gun Virginie-class frigate of the French Navy, launched in 1802. In 1803 Atalante cruised in the Indian Ocean under capitaine de frégate Gaudin, in the squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Charles-Alexandre Léon Durand Linois, whose mission was to re-take the colonies of the Indian Ocean, given to English at the peace of Amiens. The fleet included the 74-gun ship of the line Marengo, the frigates Atalante, Belle Poule, and Sémillante, and troop ships and transports with food and ammunition. Atalante was also engaged at the Battle of Vizagapatam in September 1804.