The effect of La2O3 on physicochemical and catalytic properties of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for carbon oxides methanation was investigated. A series of model Ni-La-Al catalysts with a similar Ni/(Al + La) ratio and with a variable Ni/La ratio were prepared by coprecipitation method. The textural properties of catalysts, reducibility and reaction rate as well as specific activity and the apparent activation energies of carbon oxides methanation was determined. The results reveal a strong and beneficial influence of La2O3 on catalytic activity, despite the fact that their basic textural-surface properties were not substantially modified. [GRAPHICS]