[en] This work deals with the atomic force (AFM), scanning tunneling (STM) and scanning force (SFM) microscopies. These analysis methods are based on different physical principles. Nevertheless, in all of them, a probe is situated at a few angstroms or at the direct contact of the studied sample and carries out a controlled scanning of the sample surface. Their physical principles and their running ways are described. Their potentialities and limits are given too. With these analysis methods, and more particularly with the AFM can be observed the crystal structure of isolated biological molecules and the tri dimensional structure of biological molecules which are inserted in artificial membranes. One of the future prospect of the AFM in biology is the direct observation of living cells. Indeed, it will offer the opportunity to follow, with time and in space, the individual cells behaviour and their morphological modifications. Others uses and developments of the AFM concerns the in situ analysis of mechanisms which govern the crystal growth or the direct viewing of a protein enzymatic activity. (O.M.). 37 refs., 7 figs