In 1800 the arrondissements of Cahors, Figeac, Gourdon and Montauban were established. The arrondissement of Montauban was ceded to the new department Tarn-et-Garonne in 1808.[2] All of the remaining arrondissements have never disbanded.
The borders of the arrondissements of Lot were modified in January 2017:[3]
two communes from the arrondissement of Cahors to the arrondissement of Figeac
18 communes from the arrondissement of Cahors to the arrondissement of Gourdon