After a short stay in Karaikal, he was sent to Srirangapattana, capital city of the Mysore kingdom, where he ministered to a congregation of 3,500 Catholics.

Charbonnaux showed such devotion during a famine that an English official wrote him a letter of congratulations and gratitude, saying that he "had indeed become the father and the benefactor of the people".

He was named titular Bishop of Jassen in 1841, although he refused the position and wrote an abrupt letter, citing the "mediocre services" available to the natives.

In 1847, Charbonnaux set the borders of his mission on the side of Madagondanahalli and on Dasarahalli, to the southeast of Bengaluru.

Shortly afterwards, he established a Kannada printing unit and published several books on religion and teaching methods, composed in collaboration with several other missionaries.

"A good preacher", he once said, "is the one who, putting on within the reach of intelligence and needs of his audience, teaches well and touches curs".

For example, the Saint Joseph's High School of Bengaluru continues today as an educational institute for boys.

Bonnand, Charbonnaux was charged to continue the apostolic missions of India and Burma from July 1861 until November 1862.

On 17 June 1867, Pius IX invited him to Rome, on the occasion of the prelate's ascension to the pontifical throne.

In 1870, Charbonnaux took part in the council of Vatican City and was a member of the Commission of Oriental Ritual.