Exploring crop variability can establish an effective selection criterion for improvement and breeding. Although the highlands of Nepal are considered secondary centers of pole bean diversity, limited variability studies conceal an enormous possibility. In this context, twelve pole–type French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes were evaluated for 13 quantitative attributes in Sundarbazar, Lamjung, Nepal, from March to June 2023. This study aimed to investigate the variability and identify the traits to be selected for improvement in future breeding programs. Large variations were observed among the studied genotypes. Yield per plant, yield per plot, days to 50% germination, pod weight, and number of pods per plant had high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability, and genetic advances, thereby indicating their value in selection for breeding programs. Plant height at the tender pod stage, pods per plant, pod length, pod weight, and yield per plant were found to be highly and positively correlated with yield per plot. Path analysis revealed the direct effects of plant height, days to first flowering, pods per plant, and pod weight on yield per plot and their consideration for selection and improvement. Pod length, yield per plot, and pod weight were found to contribute the most to the genetic divergence. PCA revealed that pods per plant, yield per plant, and pod weight had the highest influence on variability. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into three clusters, and choosing genotypes from Cluster I (with eight genotypes) could help improve yield.