This Nocturne is believed to have been completed in 1902 and was published in the same year by Hamelle as the eighth piece in "8 Pièces." However, in his very late years, Fauré conveyed to Hamelle his intention to publish all 13 Nocturnes, including this work, as a single collection. This was not realized during Fauré's lifetime, but in recent years, many editions of the Nocturnes collection respect this intention. Nevertheless, Fauré himself did not name this piece a Nocturne; it is also a fact that Hamelle named it "Nocturne" upon the publication of the aforementioned "8 Pièces." It is dedicated to Madame Jean-Léonard Koechlin.

The premiere took place the year after its publication, in April 1903, at the Société Nationale de Musique, performed by Ricardo Viñes. Viñes (1875–1943) was a pianist from Catalonia, Spain, who premiered numerous works by composers whose names are known today in France and Spain, including Debussy,Ravel,Satie,Falla,Albéniz, in addition to Fauré.

This Nocturne in D-flat major is written in Adagio non troppo. It is in 12/8 time, characterized by sixteenth notes that freely weave between the left and right hands.