"Richelieu" was repaired and returned to service as the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron on 8 October 1881 where she remained until 1886. The squadron made port visits in Tangiers and Lisbon in 1884 before sailing to Brest and Cherbourg for exercises. In 1885 "Richelieu" tested Bullivant torpedo nets, but they reduced her speed to a maximum of and as a result were not considered successful. The ship was placed back in reserve in 1886 and became flagship of the Reserve Squadron on 8 September 1892, which, despite its name, consisted of ships in commission. The squadron conducted exercises from June to August 1892 in French waters. "Richelieu" was condemned on 5 March 1900, but was not immediately sold. After having been sold to Dutch ship breakers, "Richelieu" departed Toulon on 28 January 1911. She was under tow in the Bay of Biscay, having left the Mediterranean for the first time in her existence, when a storm caused the tugboat to cast her loose. The ship remained afloat, however, and was subsequently recovered near the Scilly Isles, or drifted on to rocks in the Scilly Isles, and towed to Amsterdam where she was broken up.