 Jauréguiberry was replaced as navy minister in January 1883 when Charles Duclerc's cabinet was replaced by the brief administration of Armand Fallières, and Courbet was instead appointed commander of the "division navale d'essais" in the Mediterranean.In April 1883 he hoisted his flag aboard the ironclad "Bayard" at Cherbourg.In June 1883 Courbet was transferred from the "division navale d'essais" and given command of a new Tonkin Coasts naval division ("division navale des côtes du Tonkin").