[quote=Piqsy]
I think the French-mice association comes from ratatouille, the film with the rat? I know they're not the same thing but it's close enough to a mouse, I suppose? But other than that... I only understand the Hannibal reference, but not why.
[/quote]

Maybe. I think its more than that, though. Ratatouille is an example, but maybe I've seen the reference in other media as well. I just can't think of where.