A plane tree in the heart of the city
Along with the horse chestnut, the plane tree is one of the tree species that arrived in the city at the end of the 18th century. In Bulle, a majestic plane tree, a silent guardian of local history, stands near the Place des Alpes: it is already visible, well established, in a photograph from 1910. This archive image serves as a reminder that the tree has withstood over a century of urban transformations, from the Belle Époque to the automotive era. Today, this hundred-year-old specimen is among the 350 protected major trees in the municipality.
In Greek mythology, the plane tree is a powerful symbol of regeneration due to its bark, which renews itself in patches. This process of “exfoliation” is not merely aesthetic: it allows the tree to rid itself of pollutants and parasites, making it a true “self-cleaning lung.” Its robust wood is said to have been used to build the famous Trojan Horse, a famous episode from Homer’s Odyssey. Later, in modern symbolism, “plane tree weddings” mark 61 years of marriage, honouring the exceptional longevity of this tree, often referred to as the “tree of philosophers,” since Plato imparted his lessons in its shade.
These resilient qualities make the plane tree a natural ally of urban planning. The Bulle specimen we encounter today is a common plane tree, a cross between the Oriental plane (Persia) and the Western plane (America), a vigorous hybrid capable of withstanding compacted soils. Valued for its decorative bark with changing tones, it remarkably tolerates pollution, drought, and pruning. Beyond aesthetics, it plays a vital role in an urban environment: it provides shade and acts as a natural air conditioner by releasing hundreds of litres of water each day. A true “skyscraper” for biodiversity, it offers refuge to a multitude of insects and birds in the cavities of its trunk.
In 2024, the City of Bulle unveiled a redevelopment project for its historic centre, placing the Place des Alpes at the heart of this metamorphosis. Arising from a citizen consultation, it plans to expand pedestrian zones and install modern street furniture under the canopy of this historical giant, starting in 2027.
Ticketing
Musée gruérien
Rue de la Condémine 25
1630 Bulle
La Gruyère Tourisme
Centre commercial Velâdzo (rez inférieur)
Place de la Gare 3
1630 Bulle
