The "arrondissement" of Montluçon is bordered to the north by the Cher (Centre-Val de Loire region) department, to the east by the "arrondissement" of Moulins, to the southeast by the "arrondissement" of Vichy, to the south by the Puy-de-Dôme department and to the west by the Creuse (Nouvelle-Aquitaine region) department.