The "arrondissement" of Charolles is bordered to the north by the "arrondissement" of Autun, to the northeast by the "arrondissement" of Chalon-sur-Saône and to the east by the "arrondissement" of Mâcon. It is also bordered by three departments of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region: the Rhône department to the southeast, the Loire department to the south and the Allier department to the west.