In 1800 the arrondissements of Marseille, Aix and Tarascon were established. In 1817 Arles replaced Tarascon as subprefecture. The arrondissement of Istres was created in 1981.[2]
The borders of the arrondissements of Bouches-du-Rhône were modified in March 2017:[3]
two communes from the arrondissement of Aix-en-Provence to the arrondissement of Istres
one commune from the arrondissement of Aix-en-Provence to the arrondissement of Marseille
six communes from the arrondissement of Arles to the arrondissement of Aix-en-Provence
two communes from the arrondissement of Arles to the arrondissement of Istres
one commune from the arrondissement of Marseille to the arrondissement of Aix-en-Provence