The intercalation of [Eu(2,2 bipyridine)2 ]3+ and [Eu(1,10 phenantroline)2]3+ into bentonite results in new nanocomposites which preserve the emission properties of the lanthanide. The exchange of sodium by lanthanide in the bentonite correlates with the host cation exchange capacity as well as with the guest molecular size and the interlaminar volume available in the clay. The intercalated complexes exhibit luminescence indicating an efficient protecting role of the matrix. This in turn points to lanthanide-clay nanocomposite as novel optical materials.