I agree that there's a difference in meaning, so that statement in the lesson is a little confusing to me, too. Perhaps the point is that "même si" can also mean "even though", and in that case can substitute for "bien que", but "bien que" would be more elegant and more precise.

In French, "bien que" takes the subjunctive, not because it's a hypothetical, but precisely because it is making a concession. So-called "concessive" clauses (i.e. conceding a fact opposing the main clause) usually take the subjunctive in French. In this grammatical sense, "même si" is also concessive, but since it lacks "que", I guess it can't take the subjunctive. (There must be a better explanation than that.)

I think a similar use of the subjunctive is also possible in Spanish when referring to a fact that is already known by the listener.

Voy a salir aunque llueva mucho. I am going out although it is raining.

https://spanish.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/aunque-el-presente-vs-el-presente-de-subjuntivo

https://spanish.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/aunque-el-imperfecto-de-subjuntivo

Hi Michelle,

L'on is an optional form of on and is used mainly in the literary domain after words ending in a vowel, notably single sylable words such as:  qui, que, ou, où, si, et, to aid euphony . It is never used after the word dont nor is it used before a word starting with 'l' to avoid the alliterative sound of two 'l's'

        si on loge chez moi... rather than  si l'on loge chez moi...

        où on l'avait vu rather than où l'on l'avait vu

In speech l'on is often used to avoid the sound of the vulgar homonym con in such phrases as:

Les toiles qu'on peut admirer au musée  which may be rendered as  Les toiles que l'on peut admirer au musée

Hope this helps,

Tom

In this case the "le" is purely phonetic. It is not a personal pronoun.

Michelle I was just reviewing this lesson and saw the same l'on construction and had the same question but had decided not to pursue it and clutter up the thread!  Many thanks for asking, on everyone's behalf.  I have never before noticed this particular literary/phonetic construction.  Now I shall see it everywhere, I expect!

Je sais bien que tu viens me voir demain. 

Here the bien is an adver to savoir and is distinct from the bien que meaning "although" and demanding the subjunctive. 

From what I understand, the imperfect subjunctive is archaic and that is the reason it would be considered preferable to use the present subjunctive. 

I think you're probably correct.

Cécile, thanks for your helpful reply.

It's just that the lesson specifically states :

"Même si can also mean even if / even though, however it's always followed by Le Présent Indicatif and never Le Subjonctif."

which would seem to mandate only the use of Le Présent de l'Indicatif to the exlusion of other tenses of l'Indicatif.

Thanks again.