In 1800 the arrondissements of Angoulême, Barbezieux, Cognac, Confolens and Ruffec were established. The arrondissements of Barbezieux and Ruffec were disbanded in 1926.[5] On 1 January 2008 the four cantons of Aigre, Mansle, Ruffec and Villefagnan that previously belonged to the arrondissement of Angoulême were added to the arrondissement of Confolens, and the canton of Rouillac to the arrondissement of Cognac.[5][6]
The borders of the arrondissements of Charente were modified in January 2017:[7]
14 communes from the arrondissement of Angoulême to the arrondissement of Cognac
15 communes from the arrondissement of Angoulême to the arrondissement of Confolens
two communes from the arrondissement of Cognac to the arrondissement of Angoulême