Probably because you're stuck with sub-par 110v appliances made for the US market...
Common 120V outlets are 15A max, with devices usually limited to 13A for some breathing room. That's 1.8kW and 1.5kW.
In France, the common 240V outlet is 16A. With devices at 13A max that's 3.8kW and 3.1kW.
So yes it sucks for tools. But cooking is just fine.