This talk will present the various methods used for the detection and
characterization of the currently know extra-solar (exoplanet)
population. We will see the assets and limitations of these methods
which provide complementary information one to another. We will discuss
the state-of-the art results on the observed distribution of planet
radii and masses, orbital distances, and their occurrence around
different type of stars and what we know on the main physical
properties of these new worlds.
Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille