What's the best service to use to send a big expensive parcel to France?

[Lilliput]

I was really hoping the French guy interested in the Camera I just sold wouldn't win, but of course he did. Now I am struggling to find a good quote to give him for sending it. He paid over £1000 for it so I need it insured. HELP PLEASE!!!!
This is all my brother's fault, he's emigrated and asked me to sell his camera. Usually I wouldn't sell something of such high value.

Avoid royal mail international recorded delivery like the plague - it will go astray. DHL is not great either, they lost my Dad's passport . Dh uses UPS for important documents - they're not always cheapeast, but they seem to br reliable