Images2 : it is a regular train from Perpignan to Villefranche-de-Conflent and there is nothing special about the journey.
In Villefranche you take the Yellow Train (the first one leaves at 9.05 am - hence the departure of the TER train at 7.46 am from Perpignan in time to make the connection). It is much easier and faster to drive from Perpignan to Villefranche and leave your car at the station.
It is a 2-lane road, very flat and it should not take you more than 40 minutes.

Now the Yellow Train MIGHT be replaced by a SNCF bus in which case the journey will be far less interesting. I suggest you ask at the Collioure train station before you buy your ticket.

If you want to drive up the N116 after Villefranche you could go to Mont-Louis, turn right towards Les Angles and Formiguères and drive down the Aude Valley to Axat, Limoux and Carcassonne. It is a nice drive but the road is very winding and might be difficult if the weather is bad. They won't let you through if you don't have snow tires or chains.

If you decide not to go further up than Villefranche, you could visit Abbey Saint Michel de Cuxa near Prades and Abbey Saint Martin du Canigou near Vernet-les-Bains.

No, there isn't much in Castelnaudary except cassoulet...

Rosie; We don't know your flight arrangements so; For the locations you have mentioned, consider this option. Fly into Barcelona [2 days]. Take the train to Collioure [4 days]. Having rented the car in Collioure, drive to the Albi area and visit the towns StCirq mentioned. About a three hour drive and you could visit Carcassonne on the way.[4 days]. Then drive to the St Remy area. [4 days] Fly out of Avignon or the nearest airport for your connection. Each of these areas has much to offer. On www.vbro.com/vacation-rentals/europe/france you could find an apartment. Stu has many gites he may be able to suggest .

Thank you all - mes nouvel amis! Hope my French is correct (I'm learning). I'm going to try to print all of your comments. We are flying into Paris (Charles de Gaulle) and will stay in Paris for three nights. My Australian penpal of 25 years and her fellow are going on a river cruise tour and they begin their trip in Paris. This will be the 1st time we meet in person! Then my husband and I will either fly or take the TVG to the L-R region. We've decided not to go to Barcelona but to spend our time in this region. I'm still hoping to make a trip to St. Remy primarily to visit the two couples we met in 2008. We spent three weeks in Provence and 10 days in the St. Remy area in 2008 (did day trips from there). We like the suggestions: stay in one place for the two weeks - no having to pack up and move; smaller villages to visit; amount of time to spend in Carcassone (we tend to spend more time than guide books suggest); Cathar castles/villages to see. Will go back to looking at our French Atlas and your comments to find specific places. We've read that some villages are difficult with cars, so we're hoping to find a place to rent with a "parking area." Merci

I can't think of any village I've been to in France that was "difficult with cars," except maybe Cordes-sur-Ciel, which if you're driving a stick shift and heading for the upper town requires some skill. And even there, you can park in the lower town and take a shuttle to the top. Cities can be difficult, but villages? They almost all have at least a small parking area, and if not, you park on the street.

Anyway, sounds like a good trip. Enjoy!

We've rented 33 different gites throughout France, and have never had trouble parking. However, parking in Collioure close to the main beach area (if you decide to stay IN Collioure) is very difficult because of the limited parking spots.

Stu Dudley

St Cirq & StuDudley - Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. They are very helpful since you live in France (yes, St Cirq??) and travel there a lot (StuDudley). I've been enjoying reading your comments to other responses as well since we returned from the Dordogne region this May.

I don't know... should I fel slighted or just invisible?

*<i>Sigh</i>*

Rosiekins, I don't live in France (yet), but have owned a home there for almost 20 years and spent a huge amount of time there.

Don't feel slighted, Dr_DoGood. You always give sound advice!

In Collioure, Hotel Méditerranée offers guest parking for 10E per day. Other hotels may have something similar. Not sure how critical this is in May.

In Collioure, most hotels offer free parking off season.

In Collioure, Casa Pairal offers secure parking for a small fee.

Hello Dr_ DoGood ~ I did not mean to overlook your great comments and suggestions! You are not invisible! We like your suggestion to make Carcassone the day trip and stay elsewhere.

To everyone else who has commented ~ Thank you for your suggestions, background info, info about parking, suggested websites, history about the area, villages to visit!

We can't wait to visit in 2011! Perhaps my French will improve by May.

We were in Collioure this New Years Eve. They had a fun, evening parade, food stands selling seafood, oysters, champagne etc along the beach and excellent fireworks at midnight.

All parking is free in Collioure in the winter, even on NYE.

As for Rivesaltes, we stayed at http://www.maison-hotes-lorangerie.com/ which has beautiful, large rooms. Parking is along the river.

Enjoy your trip! This area was wonderful to visit, even in the winter.