Er-doped and Yb,Er-doped CeF3 single crystals were grown by Temperature Gradient Technique (TGT) method. The UV-VIR-NIR absorption spectra, near-infrared emission spectra, and I-4(13/2) decay curves were measured. The infrared to visible up-conversion emission of Er3+ wasn't observed in Yb,Er-doped CeF3 crystal. The efficiency of nonradiative energy transfer from Yb3+(F-2(5/2) level) to Er3+(I-4(1 1/2) level) was 43.3%. The measured luminescence lifetimes of the similar to 1.5 mu m emission for CeF3:Yb,Er crystal was 1.91 ms, with quantum efficiency up to 62%. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V.