Add to ORKGInternational audienceNonlinear and spectroscopic properties of pure and Yb3+ doped fluorites are reviewed. Pure fluorites, like BaF2, appear as very valuable nonlinear materials for improving the contrast of high intensity and ultra-short laser pulses. Heavily Yb3+ doped fluorites, like Yb3+:CaF2, thanks to the unique luminescence properties, appear as very favourable amplifier media for the future high power laser chains