In 1800 the arrondissements of Niort, Melle, Parthenay and Thouars were established. In 1804 Bressuire replaced Thouars as subprefecture. The arrondissements of Bressuire and Melle were disbanded in 1926, and Bressuire was restored in 1942.[5]
The borders of the arrondissements of Deux-Sèvres were modified in January 2018:[6]
21 communes from the arrondissement of Niort to the arrondissement of Parthenay
16 communes from the arrondissement of Parthenay to the arrondissement of Bressuire
11 communes from the arrondissement of Bressuire to the arrondissement of Niort