Southern US state, a former French colony (9)

I believe the answer is:

louisiana

(Other definitions for louisiana that I've seen before include "US state, capital Baton Rouge" , "American state, capital Baton Rouge" , "IOU a snail over in the US state" , "US southern state" , "State named for French king" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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