Louis Braille was born in Coupvray, a small town near Paris, France. His father, Simon-René Braille, was a leather craftsman.

At the age of three, while playing in his father's workshop, Louis accidentally stabbed himself in the eye with an awl, a sharp tool used for punching holes in leather. The wound became infected.

The infection spread from Louis's injured eye to his other eye, resulting in complete blindness by the age of five. This marked a dramatic turning point in his young life.

Despite his blindness, Louis received basic education in Coupvray. He demonstrated remarkable intelligence and a thirst for knowledge, impressing his teachers and the local community.