He was the son of Leopold I, Grand Duke of Baden, and Princess Sophie of Sweden.

The Grand Duke of Baden was his paternal uncle, Louis I, at the time of his birth.

As the unbeknownst future heirs to the throne, Louis and his younger brother, Frederick, received a modern education and often travelled to northern Italy and the Netherlands on family trips during their childhoods.

[2] From December 1842 to May 1843, Louis and Frederick met high Austrian officials during a stay in Vienna.

Upon his death, he was succeeded by Frederick, who wrote that Louis had "a poor life full of misfortune and suffering".