Members will gather on Saturday, December 4 to celebrate Christmas and Alliance Francaise Port Macquarie's 30^th anniversary.

Map of France-shaped cheeseboards, made for the occasion, will be given out as part of the celebration.

Alliance Francaise is an organisation fostering the French language and culture throughout the world. The Port Macquarie group is one of more than 30 alliances in the Australian network.

Alliance Francaise Port Macquarie president Jean Jaraczewski said the Port Macquarie alliance in its early days was more of a social-based group with members gathering to play the sport of petanque and go on picnics.

The group over time has gone on to offer more activities and consolidate its French language teaching.

Alliance Francaise Port Macquarie has 102 members drawn from as far north as Crescent Head and south to Taree.

Secretary Nic Bryant said the group included members from all over the world as people didn't have to be French to join.

A love of France is the unifying factor.

"We have people come and go but we always maintain a base of people that stay all the time," Mr Bryant said.

"I think it is something that binds us all together."

Firm friendships have developed as a result of the group.

The COVID pandemic has impacted the group's activities. Alliance Francaise Port Macquarie missed out on the past two Bastille Day celebrations due to the pandemic and its French movie screenings, normally staged four times a year for a gold coin donation, have been put on hold.

Language teacher Magalie Lameloise has continued her courses via Zoom.

A new petanque group will start in 2022 with a friendly afternoon competition planned under the Alliance Francaise Port Macquarie banner.

Anyone interested in learning more about Alliance Francaise Port Macquarie can attend the group's annual general meeting at Little Fish Cafe and Restaurant on February 27 from 11am.

There are still a few spots available at the Christmas and 30^th anniversary celebration at Little Fish Cafe and Restaurant from 6.30pm on Saturday, December 4. The dress code is French-style.

Contact Little Fish Cafe and Restaurant to make a booking.