Opera Paris is a short, tight street circuit set on real roads in the center of Paris, France. It appears in Gran Turismo 4 and Gran Turismo PSP. It also appears in Gran Turismo 4 Prologue, but as a hidden track.
Overview[]
The circuit is set around the Place de la Concorde, FIA's main headquarters, and the Place de l'Opéra. This track is characterized by its complex low-speed sections, tight roads and many obstructions that can upset car behavior. Overtaking on this track can be particularly difficult, as there are few ideal overtaking opportunities. Setting up for this track is also a challenge, as you need to consider a balance between car control and coping with the uneven track surface.
Events[]
Gran Turismo 4[]
Professional League
- Gran Turismo World Championship (reverse); Race 7 - 18 laps
Extreme League
- Dream Car Championship; Race 1 - 8 laps
- Premium Sports Lounge; Race 2 - 5 laps
European League
- Pan Euro Championship; Race 1 - 6 laps
- Tous France Championnat; Race 1 - 4 laps
- Deutsche Touring Car Meisterschaft; Race 1 - 6 laps
- Europe Classic Car League (reverse); Race 3 - 2 laps
- Euro Hot Hatch League; Race 2 - 4 laps
- 1000 Miles! Race 2; - 95 laps
- Schwarzwald Liga A (reverse); Race 2 - 4 laps
One-Make Races
- 206 Cup (GT4)
- 2HP-2CV Classics (reverse); Race 1 - 1 lap
- Blackpool Racers; Race 4 - 4 laps
- Club "M" (reverse); Race 3 - 4 laps
- Club "RE"; Race 4 - 2 laps
- GTI Cup; Race 3 - 2 laps
- Legends of the Silver Arrow; Race 3 - 3 laps
- Megane Cup; Race 2 - 3 laps
- MG Festival; Race 3 - 2 laps
- Mini Sports Meeting; Race 1 - 2 laps
- Renault Alpine Cup (reverse); Race 3 - 3 laps
Layout & Sectors[]
Sector 1[]
As you move towards the pit-wall, brake almost immediately as you start the lap. Turn into with the aim to take turns 1 and 2 with as minimal steering as possible. Control your throttle as your navigate turn 3 onto Rue de Rivoli. Try to avoid going in too close to the inside of the corner, as there is a depression in the road that can destabilize the car if hit.
Using the 50m marker board as your cue, brake in a straight line on approach to turn 4. Be careful not to hit the inside kerbstone as you turn onto Rue de Castiglione, as it is tall and can upset the cars behavior.
Sector 2[]
Turns 5-8 form a bus-stop chicane around the Place Vendôme. Brake just before the 50m marker board, and aim to go between the apexes of turns 5 and 6 in a straight line. Slightly clip the kerbstones on the outside and repeat this action for turns 7 and 8 onto Rue de la Paix. Be wary not to hit any of the kerbstones here as that can cause understeer around the narrow streets.
Turns 9-12 form the slowest section of the track around Place de l'Opéra. This is a complex series of corners that slow the car down severely. Trail brake through turn 9 in advance for turn 10, passing by the apex on the inside. Brake again just after the outside kerbstones end before turn 11. Stay on the inside line through. Control your steering and throttle carefully, as going to fast or striking the inside kerbstone will cause the car to understeer to the outside wall. If done successfully, you'll be on the correct line for turn 12 and won't have to brake. Don't pick up the throttle until you are completely on Boulevard des Capucines. Practice this section over and over until you get the line right.
Sector 3[]
At the end of Boulevard de la Madeleine is turn 13. Brake slightly at the 50m marker board and turn on Rue Royale. Be careful not to carry too much speed through here, or you will understeer to the outside wall and crash. Turns 14 and 15 form a tight S-bend chicane as you enter the Place de la Concorde. Brake between the 50m and 100m marker boards, and control your throttle and steering as you navigate both turns. The road between the turns cambers slightly, so be wary of the cars behavior.
The final set of corners form yet another complex sequence. Brake before entering turn 16, and take both this corner and subsequent turns 17 with an out-in-middle-in-out line. While it is easy to apply full throttle upon exiting turn 17, avoid doing this as this will upset the car's balance for turn 18. Move to the right side of the road, and then maintain steady throttle and steering as you stick to the inside line around turn 18. Pick up your throttle again once you see the Ferris Wheel in front of you. Continue maintaining your steering action in preparation for the next lap.
Trivia[]
- The George V Paris and Opera Paris circuits both use a small section of Avenue des Champs-Elysées, a street which connects the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe.
- The Place de la Concorde located at the starting line of this course serves as the headquarters for the International Federation of Automobiles (FIA), the governing body behind the World Rally Championship, the Formula One Grand Prix, the World Touring Car Championship, the World Endurance Championship, and many others.