In 1800 the arrondissements of Mâcon, Autun, Chalon-sur-Saône, Charolles and Louhans were established. The arrondissement of Louhans was disbanded in 1926, and restored in 1942.[3]
The borders of the arrondissements of Saône-et-Loire were modified in January 2017:[4]
six communes from the arrondissement of Autun to the arrondissement of Chalon-sur-Saône
seven commune from the arrondissement of Autun to the arrondissement of Charolles
14 communes from the arrondissement of Chalon-sur-Saône to the arrondissement of Autun
seven communes from the arrondissement of Chalon-sur-Saône to the arrondissement of Louhans
one commune from the arrondissement of Chalon-sur-Saône to the arrondissement of Mâcon
five communes from the arrondissement of Charolles to the arrondissement of Autun
one commune from the arrondissement of Charolles to the arrondissement of Chalon-sur-Saône
10 communes from the arrondissement of Charolles to the arrondissement of Mâcon
eight communes from the arrondissement of Mâcon to the arrondissement of Chalon-sur-Saône
two communes from the arrondissement of Mâcon to the arrondissement of Louhans