In Pictures: Water and shade in demand as Europeans sizzle in the sun

Europeans were coping with Sahara-style conditions as a plume of hot air from Africa moved north across the Mediterranean.

Some schools closed in France, while Germany, famous for not having a speed limit on motorways, introduced temporary restrictions on drivers.

Cool spaces and water were on hand, as authorities sought to avoid a repeat of the 2003 heatwave in France, which is thought to have caused up to 15,000 deaths, particularly among the elderly.