In this study, CeO 2 and CeO 2 :Eu films were prepared by a simple Pechini sol–gel process and dip-coating method. CeO 2 were successfully synthesized by hydrolysis of cerium nitrate. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the thermal chemical properties of sol–gel powder. Structural properties of CeO 2 films annealed at different temperature ranging from 400 to 900°C were investigated by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Luminescent properties of CeO 2 :Eu 3+ films were investigated by excitation and emission spectra. Our results show that CeO 2 is a good host material for rare earth ions doping and Pechini sol–gel process is a useful method to derive high quality, macrocrack free, pure and doped CeO 2 films.