La Bourdonnais entered the service of the French East India Company as a lieutenant. In 1724, he was promoted to captain, and displayed such bravery in the capture of Mahé on the Malabar Coast that the name of the town was added to his own; although an alternative account suggests that the town adopted his name, rather than the other way around. For two years he was in the service of the Portuguese Viceroy, but in 1735 he returned to French service as governor of the Isle de France (now Mauritius) and the Île de Bourbon (Réunion). His first five years’ administration of the islands was vigorous and successful. His name was also given to the main island (Mahé Island) of the Seychelles archepellego by Lazare Picault 1742 in his honour while he was goveronor of Mauritius.

His grandson was Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais.