Mark, I have it on good authority that “bien qu’il fait beau” does not sound right to a French ear !  “Bien qu’il fasse beau..” - “bien que” just triggers the subjunctive ‘automatically’. The French do indeed structure speech to avoid needing to use the subjunctive, but not using it when it is needed is rare, at most.

Although/Though = bien que/quoique + Le Subjonctif

J’ai appris récemment que “bien que” exige le subjonctif.

Yes, I agree... but "il fait beau" is such a definitive phrase that I am wondering if that would not override the rule in everyday speech... I would like to hear what a francophone would say.

Cheers Maarten.. bien qu'il fasse is certainly what the rules demand but I also do French with the AFDY and Christine, who is Parisienne, says that the French, themselves, are increasingly using l'indicative where they should use the subjonctif (rather to her annoyance when she is watching French television)... but summer hols at the moment so will not see her until September... but, as you say, they may well be simply avoiding the constructs... see if I can remember to ask.

A similar example is discussed here:

https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/fr/chroniques-de-langue/bien-que-indicatif-ou-subjonctif

En écrivant "Bien qu’il fait beau, je n’ai pas envie de sortir", on accentuerait la réalité des deux faits qu’on oppose et "bien que" prendrait alors davantage une valeur de coordination.

I think the conclusion is that both indicative and subjunctive are possible, but it's probably safer to stick to the subjunctive.

The reference Alan gives is Canadian. Maybe they are doing it differently ? 

Laura Lawless 

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/subjunctivisor/bien-que/

Stick to the subjunctive but be prepared to hear the indicative.. after all, it is French!

Cheers all. 

Found this in Ouest-France... used in a report of an F1 race ... J'aimerais bien qu'il fasse beau pour avoir quelques réponse  If journalists use the subjunctive I reckon it is current usage.