An old French variety of climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Can be eaten young as green beans or allowed to mature and be harvested as dry beans. The dry beans have a striking cream and purple/brown mottled pattern and can be used in stews, casseroles and the like. In Ireland, french beans can be sown directly outside in June when the soil is sufficiently warm. Alternatively, you can plant them indoors in pots a few weeks beforehand to give them a head start on slugs when planted out.
