Cold snap grips Europe

With its frozen canals, Amsterdam is a skater's paradise.

The Netherlands is experiencing its coldest spell in 15 years.

But not everyone's upset about the wintry weather - many in Amsterdam donned their ice skates and made the most of the canals that weave through the city.

In Paris, the Eiffel tower stands tall over snow covered streets.

Temperatures in the French capital have remained below freezing for at least five days.

The cold snap has raised concerns that the country's electricity would be overloaded.

France's weather authority has extended its severe weather warning to the whole of the eastern half of the country.

Travis Brecher, Reuters