Mr Obama, meanwhile, praised France's military role in helping quell extremist violence in Africa. The US has provided some help in French missions to Mali and the Central African Republic.
The French leader later had lunch with Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry.
But the main event is Tuesday night's black-tie state dinner on the White House lawn.
More than 300 dignitaries and celebrities will dine on caviar, quail eggs and rib-eye steak, while dancing to the music of singer Mary J Blige.
On Wednesday, Mr Hollande, 59, will travel to San Francisco and meet chiefs of Silicon Valley giants including Facebook, Twitter and Google.
His long-time partner Valerie Trierweiler did not travel with him, after they split last month following reports he had an affair with an actress.
Following Mr Hollande's arrival on Monday afternoon, he and Mr Obama flew to Monticello in the state of Virginia.
They visited the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the US, an envoy to France and the third US president.