The Fort de Cognelée is located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of the center of Namur.

The principal armament was concentrated in the central massif, closely grouped in a solid mass of concrete.

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 Namur), with lesser protection than the front and "salient" sides.

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

Four 57mm turrets with another eight 57mm guns in embrasures providing defense of the fort's ditches and postern.

[2][7] The fort's heavy guns were German, typically Krupp, while the turret mechanisms were from a variety of sources.

[4] The Germans re-armed Cognelée and upgraded its protection and habitability with additional concrete and ventilation.