[1] He was a young theologian in Geneva when he was chosen by John Calvin to take part in an expedition organized by the French gentleman Philippe de Corguilleray, who had been asked by Gaspard de Coligny to come to the aid of admiral Nicolas Durand de Villegagnon, who was asking for assistance in increasing the population of the small French colony at Fort Coligny in France Antarctique in what is now Brazil.
His mission was to convert Catholics in the French colony and support the Huguenot colonists in their faith.
Fifteen people in total travelled from Geneva to Le Havre to embark, where they were met by three hundred Protestant emigrants.
Villagagnon and Corguilleray soon fell out, with the latter contesting his authority and leading the Huguenots against the French Catholics in Fort Coligny.
Chartier left for Europe and visited Calvin and the German Protestants to consult them about controversial points and polemics which opposed the believers of France Antarctique.