The name of Corbel come from the site itself, perched, and which access can be done by road cantilevered. Geologically astride the Jura and the Alps, the town consists of two distinct units: the valley of Gringalet comprising the administrative and seven hamlets and the plateau also suspended above the valley of Chartreuse. Despite the abundance of rainfall and its green setting, the town of Corbel is poor in water, because it is water that runs off quickly to go feed the Guiers Vif.
Corbel is located above the town of Saint-Pierre d'Entremont.