White House to transform tent to Monet masterpiece for Hollande

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and French President Francois Hollande shake hands after touring the Virginia residence of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello in Charlottesville February 10, 2014. REUTERS/Larry Downing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House will turn a heated tent on its frigid South Lawn into a Monet-inspired gala fit for a French president on Tuesday, the highlight of a two-day state visit to Washington by Francois Hollande.

President Barack Obama invited Hollande for the state visit to highlight the long relationship between the two countries. The two leaders have worked together on responding to Iran's nuclear program, Syria's civil war and insurgent attacks in Mali.