An exhaust gas purification apparatus for lean combustion engines, comprising at least: one or more oxidation catalysts (Ox) which are arranged in an exhaust gas flow channel and oxidize at least one selected from the group consisting of CO, HC, NO and NH 3 in an exhaust gas discharged from a lean combustion engine; a reducing agent supplying unit (Red.) for supplying one or more reducing agents selected from the group consisting of a urea component and an ammonia component into the exhaust gas flow channel; and one or more first selective reducing catalysts (SCR L) arranged on the downstream side of the exhaust gas flow channel with respect to the reducing agent supplying unit (Red.) and which adsorb ammonia and bring the ammonia into contact with NO x to perform reduction, wherein the first selective reducing catalyst (SCR L) comprises a first base material and a layered catalyst provided on the first base material, and the layered catalyst comprises at least a first catalyst layer containing at least zeolite and a transition metal element supported on the zeolite, and a second catalyst layer containing at least an oxygen storage and release material and a transition metal element, and at least the first catalyst layer and the second catalyst layer are provided in this order on the first base material, the first catalyst layer contains at least the zeolite and one or more selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Ce, Mn, Ni, Co, Ca, Ag, Rh, Ru, Pd, Pt, Ir and Re supported on the zeolite, characterized in that the second catalyst layer contains at least the oxygen storage and release material and one or more transition metal elements selected from the group consisting of W, Nb and Ti supported on the surface of the oxygen storage and release material. one or more oxidation catalysts (Ox) which are arranged in an exhaust gas flow channel and oxidize at least one selected from the group consisting of CO, HC, NO and NH 3 in an exhaust gas discharged from a lean combustion engine; a reducing agent supplying unit (Red.) for supplying one or more reducing agents selected from the group consisting of a urea component and an ammonia component into the exhaust gas flow channel; and one or more first selective reducing catalysts (SCR L) arranged on the downstream side of the exhaust gas flow channel with respect to the reducing agent supplying unit (Red.) and which adsorb ammonia and bring the ammonia into contact with NO x to perform reduction, wherein the first selective reducing catalyst (SCR L) comprises a first base material and a layered catalyst provided on the first base material, and the layered catalyst comprises at least a first catalyst layer containing at least zeolite and a transition metal element supported on the zeolite, and a second catalyst layer containing at least an oxygen storage and release material and a transition metal element, and at least the first catalyst layer and the second catalyst layer are provided in this order on the first base material, the first catalyst layer contains at least the zeolite and one or more selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Ce, Mn, Ni, Co, Ca, Ag, Rh, Ru, Pd, Pt, Ir and Re supported on the zeolite, characterized in that the second catalyst layer contains at least the oxygen storage and release material and one or more transition metal elements selected from the group consisting of W, Nb and Ti supported on the surface of the oxygen storage and release material.