The Corbin was wrecked in the Maldives, beginning the adventure of François Pyrard de Laval, who managed to return to France in 1611.
[2][3] The second ship, the Croissant carrying Martin, reached Ceylon and traded with Aceh in Sumatra, but on the return leg was captured by the Dutch at Cape Finisterre.
[3] Martin and another Frenchman, François Pyrard, were among the first Frenchmen to visit India.
[5] On his return, King Henry IV directed Martin to write an account of his travels.
[1] His account created a strong enthusiasm for commerce with Asia, and from 1604 to 1609, Henry IV attempted to set up a French East India Company on the model of England and the Netherlands.