Method for seeking the prediction direction for a current image block in intra-image video coding to the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard, comprising steps of calculating blocks, termed virtual blocks, associated with said current block, by interpolation, in given prediction directions, of image elements of blocks adjacent to said current block, characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: - choosing two prediction directions (E, S), termed initial directions, from among the given prediction directions, the two initial directions being the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, - calculating the virtual blocks associated with said initial prediction directions (E, S), - comparing said virtual blocks with the current block and choosing the initial prediction direction, termed first main direction, that minimizes the difference between the associated virtual block and the current block, - calculating the virtual blocks associated with the prediction directions (ENE, ESE) immediately adjacent to said first main direction, - comparing the virtual blocks associated with the first main direction and with said immediately adjacent directions (ENE, ESE) with the current block, and determining the best prediction direction that minimizes the difference between the associated virtual block and the current block, - if said best prediction direction is said first main direction or one of the immediately adjacent directions if it is situated at an end of the set of prediction directions, this best direction is the sought prediction direction, otherwise, - choosing the prediction direction, termed second main direction, that minimizes the difference between the associated virtual block and the current block, - calculating the virtual block associated with the prediction direction immediately adjacent to the second main direction, different from the first main direction, - comparing the virtual blocks associated with the second main prediction direction and said direction immediately adjacent to the second main direction with the current block, and determining the best prediction direction that minimizes the difference between the associated virtual block and the current block, - if said best prediction direction is said second main direction or the direction immediately adjacent to the second main direction if it is situated at an end of the set of prediction directions, this best direction is the sought prediction direction, otherwise, - said direction immediately adjacent to the second main direction is the sought prediction direction. - choosing two prediction directions (E, S), termed initial directions, from among the given prediction directions, the two initial directions being the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, - calculating the virtual blocks associated with said initial prediction directions (E, S), - comparing said virtual blocks with the current block and choosing the initial prediction direction, termed first main direction, that minimizes the difference between the associated virtual block and the current block, - calculating the virtual blocks associated with the prediction directions (ENE, ESE) immediately adjacent to said first main direction, - comparing the virtual blocks associated with the first main direction and with said immediately adjacent directions (ENE, ESE) with the current block, and determining the best prediction direction that minimizes the difference between the associated virtual block and the current block, - if said best prediction direction is said first main direction or one of the immediately adjacent directions if it is situated at an end of the set of prediction directions, this best direction is the sought prediction direction, otherwise, - choosing the prediction direction, termed second main direction, that minimizes the difference between the associated virtual block and the current block, - calculating the virtual block associated with the prediction direction immediately adjacent to the second main direction, different from the first main direction, - comparing the virtual blocks associated with the second main prediction direction and said direction immediately adjacent to the second main direction with the current block, and determining the best prediction direction that minimizes the difference between the associated virtual block and the current block, - if said best prediction direction is said second main direction or the direction immediately adjacent to the second main direction if it is situated at an end of the set of prediction directions, this best direction is the sought prediction direction, otherwise, - said direction immediately adjacent to the second main direction is the sought prediction direction.