The name Corbières probably stems from the Latin Curvu, which effectively means curve. The curve refers to the meandering River Saane, with the village of Corbières on its eastern bank. The river also ensured fertile farmland in the surroundings. The river became a lake with the construction of the Rossens dam and Corbières lost its importance as a bridgehead.

Another theory suggests that Corvus, for crow, is symbolic of the village coat of arms. It's certain that the name Corbières also signifies nobility in the region and Guillaume, the oldest member of the noble family, was recorded in history books for his donation to the Rougemont Monastery in 1115. The centre of the dominions ruled by Guillaume was a castle north of the church, but unfortunately there is no longer any evidence of a ruin to be seen.

The old castle was abandoned and in the mid-1250s a new one built where a castle still stands. The plague epidemic of 1348 was recorded as particularly rampant in Corbières. The dynasty never recovered and the family died out in 1363. Twelve years later, Corbières and its estates fell into the hands of the House of Savoy.

In 1454, the region was sold to the Count of Gruyère and 100 years later to Fribourg. The Lords of Fribourg built a new castle to replace the former building dating from the 13th century. The new castle can still be visited today. This was used for centuries as the residence of the Bailiff of Corbières, who was installed by the Fribourgs.

Although Corbières is no longer as markedly agricultural as at the beginning of the 20th century, there are still very few industrial areas. Between 1980 (262 inhabitants) to 2011 (735 inhabitants), the population has almost trebled but the majority work in Fribourg or Bulle.