Built on the summit of Mont Barbonnet, which rises to 847 meters, it blocked the Bévéra valley and the Col de Braus, protecting Nice. The summit was fortified several times: first in 1883-1886, with the construction of a Séré de Rivières fort, which was subsequently modernized from 1891 to 1917, and then again in 1931-1935, in the form of an artillery structure as part of the Maginot line.
Its mission was to prevent an invasion of Nice by guarding the Bévéra valley, the Col de Castillon and the Col de Braus. As soon as it was built, it was fitted with 2 Mougin turrets, model 1876, each armed with two 155L cannons, making it one of the 3 most heavily armoured structures in France in 1887.
After a guided video presentation, the tour begins with the upper part of the structure, then moves on to the interior galleries (caponiers, cross-beam shelters), the Mougin turret, the barracks rooms (kitchen, bakery) and the museum rooms.
No reservation
Its mission was to prevent an invasion of Nice by guarding the Bévéra valley, the Col de Castillon and the Col de Braus. As soon as it was built, it was fitted with 2 Mougin turrets, model 1876, each armed with two 155L cannons, making it one of the 3 most heavily armoured structures in France in 1887.
After a guided video presentation, the tour begins with the upper part of the structure, then moves on to the interior galleries (caponiers, cross-beam shelters), the Mougin turret, the barracks rooms (kitchen, bakery) and the museum rooms.
No reservation
Rates
Rates
Free to participate.
—
free guided tours (possibility of making a donation to the association for the maintenance of the fort).
Payment methods
Payment methods
Payment methods
Check
CashOpening times
Opening times
On 20 September 2025
- 14:30 at 16:30
On 21 September 2025
- 14:30 at 16:30
Location
Location
- Menton, Riviera & Merveilles Tourist Office - Sospel Tourist Service
Contact European Heritage Days : Fort du Barbonnet
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
Environment
Environment
- Mountain view
