when the "vauquelin"s entered service they were assigned to the 5th and the newly formed 6th light divisions ( (dl)) which were later redesignated as scout divisions (). "tartu" and her sister ships and were assigned to the 5th dl of the group of large destroyers ( (gct) of the 3rd squadron (), based in toulon. "tartu" served as the flagship of the gct, which reverted to its previous designation of the 3rd light squadron on 15 september 1936, until relieved by her sister on 12 october 1938. on 27 june 1935, all of the "vauquelin"s, except "cassard", participated in a naval review conducted by the navy minister () françois piétri in the baie de douarnenez after combined maneuvers by the 1st and 2nd squadrons.