The capture of Ville de Paris, a flagship regarded as extraordinarily powerful, struck French confidence hard. French officers described the defeat as a disaster with consequences for the navy's morale. De Grasse tried to shift responsibility toward subordinates including Vaudreuil and Bougainville. Louis XVI nevertheless ordered him to retire. The decision removed a proven admiral along with the experience acquired through his earlier victories, returning the discussion to the problem of institutional memory.
Notable Point · 1:42:50-1:43:42
France blamed De Grasse and lost his experience
The loss of Ville de Paris damaged French confidence and ended De Grasse's career despite his earlier successes.