The ouvrage was built somewhat behind the main line of fortifications on the old Fort Suchet, which was already armed with two obsolete Mougin 155 mm gun turrets.

[1] Fort Suchet was built between 1883 and 1888 at 850 metres altitude two kilometres to the south of Sospel,[2] dominating the road from Nice to the Col de Tende.

Casemate Barbonnet Sud was equipped with one FM machine gun and two automatic rifle positions.

[8] Barbonnet's Maginot fortifications were built between November 1931 and February 1935 by a contractor named Borie, at a cost of 10.8 million francs.

[8] Fort Suchet was built as part of the Séré de Rivières system fortifications that were designed to respond to the rapid development of artillery in the late 19th century.

The fort's primary armament were four 155mm guns in Mougin twin turrets, named "Jeanne d'Arc" and "Bayard."

[10] The Maginot and Séré de Rivières works may be visited in the summer months, and house a museum.