Redoine Faid set off a series of explosions and took four guards hostage during the escape from Sequedin prison, outside Lille, BBC reports.
Police say he is armed and still in possession of explosives. Reports today say he is being hunted in at least 26 countries.
Faid is well known in France, where he was imprisoned for a series of robberies.
Police believe Faid was given the explosives by his wife when she visited him on Saturday morning (local time).
He then used them to blast through five prison doors, taking hostages with him.
He used a getaway car to escape, which he later set fire to, transferring to another vehicle.
The hostages were released during the escape, outside the prison and along a highway.
Officials say the escape was clearly well organised, but were still trying to put the facts together.
