Originally this work had to get the so-called 'cloche Héronfontaine', an experimental observation turret dating from the end of the 19th century that had been installed in Norther France. However the transport was considered to be to expensive. That is why the work received another turret built between 1910 and 1914 (Observatoire cuirassé 3e modèle). You can see it is considerably smaller than the planned turret.

There are several explanations for the name Gondran E. Many people think it stand for Est (or East). However the truth is much simpler. On the plateau of Gondran were four other works built in the period 1890-1914. These were named Gondran A, B, C and D. When the work was constructed in the thirties they took just the next letter, the E.