[en] The results of an analysis of inelastic neutron scattering data on the heavy fermion compound CeAl₃ are reported. By combining the neutron scattering results with measurement of the single-crystal magnetic susceptibility, we have obtained an unambiguous set of crystal field (CF) parameters: B₂⁰=(5.8±0.2)·10^-2 and B₄⁰=(2.3±0.1)·10^-2 meV. The corresponding level scheme of the ground multiplet of the Ce⁺³ ion is characterized by the ground state Γ₉|±3/2> and two doublets Γ₈|±5/2> and Γ₇|±1/2> with and Ndclose values of energies ∼ 6.3 meV at the temperature 20 K. A comparison of the CEF parameters along the RAl₃ (R = Ce, Pr and Nd) series showed large difference of the CF parameters in CeAl₃ from corresponding values in PrAl₃ Al₃ which cannot be explained by changes in lattice parameters of this isostructural compounds but are more likely to result from the enhancement of the hybridization of the cerium localized 4f-electrons with the conduction electrons