Abstract. Using optical study of electronic spectra of rare-earth (RE) ions, magnetic phase transitions in the low-dimensional frustrated RE magnets Cu3R(SeO3)2O2Cl (R = Sm, Yb, Er, Nd, Pr, Eu) were investigated. Phase transitions were registered either by splittings of crystal-field (CF) doublets or by repulsion of CF levels of f-ions in a staggered magnetic field. Different scenarios of magnetic order in isostructural compounds of the francisite family are discussed.Magnetic system of a natural mineral francisite Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl [1] has attracted attention of scientists due to its unusual geometry. Copper ions in the orthorhombic Pmmn crystal structure of francisite form a network of two-dimensional (2D) layers with a buckled Kagome lattice [2]. Due to weak interlayer interactions, an antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering occurs in francisite at TN = 24 K [2]. Bismuth can be replaced by a rare-earth (RE) element, while the crystallographic structure remains the same [4]. The family of compounds Cu3R(SeO3)2O2Cl (R = RE) can be considered as a model system of 2D copper layers with different types of interactions, due to introduction of a second (RE) magnetic subsystem. In the case of R = Y [5] or Sm [6], the Néel temperature is also low (TN = 35 K), but higher as compared to parent francisite, which is due to a discrepancy in ionic radii of bismuth and RE ions. In addition to AFM ordering, Cu3Sm(SeO3)2O2Cl, experiences a spin-reorientation second-order phase transition at TR = 9K [6]. In this work, a comparative study of compounds with R = Sm, Yb, Er, Nd, Pr, and Eu is presented. We have carried out infrared spectroscopy study of f-f transitions in RE ions, with the aim to investigate magnetic ordering in compounds with different RE ions.Transmittance spectra in a wide spectral range (1800 -12000 cm -1 ) were measured using a Fourier-spectrometer Bruker IFS125HR. Mixtures of Cu3R(SeO3)2O2Cl and KBr powders were pressed into tablets, with an effective thickness of the substance ~ 10 mkm. Low temperatures were achieved using a closed-cycle cryostat Cryomech PT403.The CF energies of six R 3+ ions were found in the spectral range studied. Spectroscopic data on temperature-dependent low-energy states of RE ions were used to calculate the RE contribution [7,8] into magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity. Magnetic ordering was detected either by splitting of Kramers ( Sm N