Prime Minister Narendra Modi received French President Emmanuel Macron at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport here on Monday.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik were present at the airport.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Modi arrived in the city.
For the welcome of the French President, the Ganga Ghat of Varanasi has been decorated with flowers. The operation of the boats in the Ganga Ghat has been completely closed for the public.
The two leaders will participate in several programmes, including a boat ride on river Ganga.
The two leaders will first leave for Mirzapur, where they will inaugurate a solar power plant, before returning to Varanasi, official sources said here.
In Varanasi, the two leaders will visit the Deen Dayal Hastkala Sankul and interact with artisans. They will also witness a live demonstration of their crafts.
Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will then arrive at the famous Assi Ghat in Varanasi, where they will board a boat for a ride along the ghats of the Ganga. The boat ride will end at the historic Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Modi will also host a lunch in the honour of the French President.
In the afternoon, the Prime Minister will flag off a train from Varanasi's Maduadih Railway Station to Patna.