In the framework of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), the GCT (Gamma-ray Cherenkov Telescope) sub-consortium is building a dual-mirror prototype proposed for the CTA small size class of telescopes. The telescope is based on a Schwarzchild-Couder (SC) optical design, an innovative solution for ground-based Cherenkov astronomy, which allows a compact telescope structure, a lightweight large field-of-view camera and enables good angular resolution across the entire field-of-view. The GCT telescope mechanical structure was designed with the philosophy to provide a lightweight, simple and easy to assemble structure compatible with CTA specifications in terms of stiffness, cost or lifetime. A GCT prototype has been installed at the Paris Observatory in Meudon and first on-site tests and measurements have been performed at end of 2015. This contribution will review the different components of the telescope, from mechanics and optics to the telescope control system while the camera will be described in separate contributions. In order to characterize its components, the Paris prototype will be operated during several weeks in 2016. In this framework, an estimate of the expected performance of this prototype has been made, based on Monte Carlo simulations. In particular the observability of the Crab Nebula in the context of high Night Sky Background will be presented.