Fort de Barchon was built between 1881 and 1884 according to the plans of General Henri Alexis Brialmont.

The Fort de Barchon is located about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) northeast of the center of Liège, just off the E40 highway.

The service areas were placed directly opposite the barracks, which opened into the ditch in the rear of the fort (i.e., in the face towards Liège), with lesser protection than the two "salient" sides.

[2] The Brialmont forts were designed to be protected from shellfire equaling their heaviest guns: 21 cm.

[6] The fort's heavy guns were German, typically Krupp, while the turret mechanisms were from a variety of sources.

Because the Liège fortifications had proved to be unexpectedly stubborn, the Germans brought heavy siege artillery to bombard the forts with shells far larger than they were designed to resist.

The fort's surrender was demanded under a flag of truce: once refused, the bombardment recommenced.

Non-structural improvements included forced ventilation and moving latrines, kitchens and the bakery into the main fort.

[9] Barchon's armament was upgraded in the 1930s to become part of the Fortified Position of Liège II, which was planned to deter a German incursion over the nearby border.

This was accompanied by improvements to ventilation, protection, sanitary facilities, communications and electrical power.

[6][12] Barchon opened fire on the morning of 10 May in support of Fort Eben-Emael with 15 cm guns.

Belgian Army field forces withdrew on 11 May, leaving the Liège forts to fight alone.

The Germans mounted an infantry assault in the afternoon, supported by flamethrowers, that took the fort at 1800 hours.