Its intended function was primarily to provide heavy, long-range artillery support from a location well to the rear of the line.

Its site on Mont Agel, at an altitude of 1,118 metres (3,668 ft), is the highest point in the vicinity of Nice and Menton and commands the entire coastline, as well as the approaches from Sospel to the north.

[1] The Maginot blocks are concentrated in a relatively small area on the west side of the summit plateau, to the north of the Séré de Rivières reduit.

The observatory Mont-Gros de Roquebrune 43°45′58″N 7°26′35″E / 43.76611°N 7.44306°E / 43.76611; 7.44306 is an observation block intended to spot the fall of shot for Ouvrage Mont Agel.

[12] Four other observation posts are associated with Mont Agel, including Mont-Gros principal, Mont-Agel abri nord and Cime de Cabanelles.

The Observatiore Est de Mont-Agel is a larger post designed and constructed to CORF standards, sometimes called Block 8 of Mont Agel even though it was not connected to the ouvrage.

[15] The ouvrage was built by Thorrand et Cie. between November 1931 and July 1933 at a cost of 23 million francs, including the observation post.

[17] On 6 September 1944, allied cruisers opened fire with eight-inch guns on Mont Agel, forcing the German garrison to withdraw into the galleries.