Segonds stepped into the boots of French stars Matthieu Jalibert and Romain Ntamack on the tour and relished marking Barrett in the first two Tests of the Lipovitan-D series in Dunedin and Wellington.
Segonds told Midi Olympique, "It's evident that Beauden Barrett is class, and now that I've faced him, I'm even more convinced.
"Playing at this level at 34 and after a 12-year Test career is something. I made a point of swapping my jersey with his after the first Test. I'm going to frame it; he'll have a nice place at my home."
Segonds said playing the All Blacks in New Zealand was 'an incredible experience.'
"Having played against the All Blacks multiplied the pleasure tenfold of playing my first Test matches.
"The first Test in Dunedin left us all with a taste of unfinished business, especially finishing within four points of the No.2-ranked side in the world.
"It was a test of character for all of us, and we rose to it."
Segonds said that while the team was under-strength, they felt they had everything to prove, and rather than shrinking in the face of pressure, the challenge boosted their resolve.
"Before the first Test, most of the selected players had only been working together for two weeks. I joined them after the [Top 14] semifinal. So, I only had a few days of work to get up to speed with the others and learn the game plan.
"That was to play in New Zealand's half and avoid mistakes. But during the series, we also realised that at Test level, there are no huge flights of fance, everything is very strategic."
But after the heights of their first Test effort, they struggled in the second.
"There are no excuses here. After the first Test, we thought we could compete, but the second Test brought us back to Earth. We were dominated from the start, and against them, when you concede three or four tries in quick succession, it's impossible to come back into the game.
"We tried to pick ourselves up in the second half, but it was too late."
Segonds said he found stepping up to Test match level easier because of the intensity he had experienced playing in the Top 14. The All Blacks increased their speed when playing the ball, and they were faster in clearing from rucks than he was accustomed to.
"But, in terms of intensity, our championship is very similar to a Test match. The past season in the Top 14 helped me a lot to prepare for these first Tests."
Facing the haka for the first time was all he had heard about from family and friends since being selected.
"It's impressive, but I find it more motivating than scary, actually. Beain able to face them and look them straight in the eye really stimulated me before the match. The more I watched the All Blacks, the more I was looking forward to the fight."
After a month's break, Segonds will be back with his club, preparing for a new season while knowing that his prospects will depend on the fortunes of Ntamack, Jalibert and Thomas Ramos. The competition among them would be good for France, and him, as he plays against them so often.
But his memory of the tour is certain.
"Facing the All Blacks wearing the French jersey...I had my best season as a professional rugby player."