Rods of CeO2 and gadolinium-doped CeO2 (GDC)-CoO eutectics were prepared by directional solidification using a laser heated floating zone (LFZ) technique. The microstructure has been studied as a function of the growth rate from V=10 to 750mm/h. Regular eutectic microstructures are obtained except for the highest growth rate. The interspacing follows the λ2V=C law with C=4.1(3)×10-17 and 2.6(3)×10-17m3/s for CeO2-CoO and GDC-CoO eutectics, respectively. A cross-over between fibrous and lamellar eutectic microstructures was observed depending on the growth rate. The crystallography of the eutectics was studied by Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). The growth directions [110]GDC∼//[110]CoO, and the interfacial planes (200)GDC//(111)CoO, were identified. Solubility of Co in the ceria matrix was determined by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy after Co was leached out from the matrix. Co solubility in ceria at 1650°C was found to be less than 1mol%. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.