The arrondissement of Montauban was created in 1800 as part of the department Lot.[4] It became part of the new department Tarn-et-Garonne in 1808.[5]
As a result of the reorganisation of the cantons of France which came into effect in 2015, the borders of the cantons are no longer related to the borders of the arrondissements. The cantons of the arrondissement of Montauban were, as of January 2015:[6]