Bulle is the economic centre of the Gruyère region and famous for its interesting heritage and folk art museum. Culinary delights include Gruyère cheese, thick double cream, fondue and chocolate, showcased at the annual festival of regional produce.

Situated in a wide basin on the edge of the pre-Alps and to the west of the Lac de Gruyère reservoir, Bulle is the region’s economic centre and second-largest town in Canton Fribourg. Bulle is a picturesque town with bourgeois houses dating back to the early 19th century, built after a large fire laid much of the centre in ashes in 1805. The fortified 13th century castle in Savoyan style with its corner turrets and cone-shaped roofs is well worth a visit.

The town’s main attraction is the Gruyères Museum (Musée Gruérien), a particularly interesting heritage and folk art museum with replicas of traditional historic homes and work places including an alpine dairy. Richly carved and painted antique furniture is on display together with regional costumes, nativity scenes, ecclesiastical art and a collection of paintings.

The small town of Broc at the southern end of the Lac de Gruyère is home to the Cailler chocolate factory, where visitors can find out all about the art of chocolate making during a guided factory tour. Broc also has an energy information centre housed in an operating hydroelectricity plant. Visitors can take a pleasant walk through the Gorges de la Jogne to the dam which supplies the water for the plant.

Bulle is a starting point for excursions into the Gruyère Region, for instance to the historic small town of Gruyères, to the Gruyère demonstration dairy or Moléson. The regional railway runs from Bulle to the chocolate factory at Broc and to Montbovon in the Intyamon valley. A historic train runs from Bulle to Montbovon on selected dates, serving passengers a traditional Fribourgois meal of fondue with meringues and the delicious Gruyère thick double cream.

Winter attractions include the family-friendly ski regions of La Berra, La Chia, at Moléson, Charmey or near Jaun. There are several signposted snowshoe trails and cross-country runs throughout the area.

Highlights

• Gruyère Museum - the «Musée gruérien» exhibits the region’s history, art and traditions.
• Old town – rebuilt on a grid system after the great fire of 1805 with many bourgeois houses from the era.
• Chocolate factory at Broc – the art of chocolate making can be watched at the Cailler factory (with outlet shop).
• Gorges de la Jogne – a footpath leads from Broc through the narrow gorge to the Lac de Montsalvens.
• Lac de la Gruyère – idyllic reservoir with the island Ile d’Ogoz with wedding chapel. Access by boat only.