Returning to France, in 1626 he applied for and received a charter from Cardinal Richelieu to create the Compagnie de Saint-Christophe.
In 1635 Richelieu directed his councilor François Fouquet to reorganize the company under the new name Compagnie des Îles de l'Amérique ('Company of the American Islands') and with a charge to colonize Sainte-Christophe, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
On 15 September 1635, d'Esnambuc landed in the harbour of St. Pierre with 150 French settlers after being driven off Saint-Christophe by the English.
He claimed Martinique for King Louis XIII and the Compagnie des Îles de l'Amérique, establishing the first European settlement at Fort Saint-Pierre (now St. Pierre).
His nephew, Jacques Dyel du Parquet, assisted d'Esnambuc and in 1637 became he governor of the island.