We have measured spectrally resolved fluorescence lifetimes of dye incorpor
ated in high-quality photonic crystals, made of colloidal spheres. The emis
sion spectrum shows a pronounced Bragg notch. In contrast, the fluorescence
lifetime does not depend on the interaction between light and the photonic
crystal. The results are explained with a simple model of an atom in a cav
ity. The effects of homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening of the emissio
n spectrum of dye inside photonic crystals are discussed.