Archduke Louis was born at Florence, Italy. He entered the Austrian Imperial Army at an early age and soon gained the rank of Feldmarschal-Leutnant. From 1807 to 1809, he was general director of the military frontier. In 1809, he was appointed commander of V Armeekorps. In this capacity, he fought at the battles of Abensberg, Landshut, and Ebersberg in April and May, after which he relinquished his command.